Published: July 23, 2009 02:49 pm      

'Orphan' is a tale of suspense, misplaced trust

Warner Bros. movie, “The Orphan” opens in nationwide Friday, July 24.

I saw Orphan at a packed advance screening

The film is really, in my opinion, more in the suspense/psychological thriller genre than the horror genre.

The movie start out with Kate Coleman, (Vera Farmiga) in labor with her third child when something goes horribly wrong, the baby is stillborn, then she wakes up.

It was all a dream. A dream we later find out that is all to real.

She wakes up, takes some medication and visits her therapist.

The two talk about adoption and the trauma from losing her third child at birth and how much she truly wants another. That she is a recovering alcoholic is also revealed. She also teaches piano.

So Kate and her husband, John (Peter Sarsgaard), go to “look at orphans”

John wanders upstairs and finds Esther a Russian orphan (Isabella Fuhrman), singing and painting some truly remarkable paintings. He is intrigued by her.

Kate and John complete the papers for adoption and bring Esther home shortly after.

When Esther arrives at her new home to meet the rest of the family there is some tension between her and her new brother and sister — a boy about Ester

s age and a younger sister who is deaf.

Esther is given lots of gifts from her new family and the boy becomes jealous.

The boy shots a bird with a paint ball gun and is sad because he didn’t mean to hurt the bird. Esther berates him because he didn’t kill it and the bird is now suffering. She picks up a brick and smashes it.

The boy tells his mother and the parents decide to take Esther to the therapist.

Esther manipulates the therapist. And the parents come out looking like abusive parents.

The movie is the story of trust gone horribly wrong.

All in all I thought it was a really good movie. I felt like it was more of a suspense thriller than a horror movie. I know I jumped a few times! I would suggest anyone who likes a good suspense thriller go see this move. This release is not for kids — aside from the “anti-adoption” angle, there is plenty of dangerous imitable behavior. The violence committed by and toward children is shocking, realistic, and brutal.

The movie has some great acting, a good script, and excellent execution. The movie really has a lot of suspense and the twist is pulled off very well and packs a big punch.

“The Orphan”

Rating (**** out of *****)

Synopsis: (Courtesy of Warner Bros. publicity) The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate's fragile psyche as she is plagued by nightmares and haunted by demons from her past. Struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, the couple decides to adopt another child. At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl named Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) ... but Esther is not what she appears to be and, concerned for the safety of her family, Kate tries to get John and others to see past Esther's sweet facade. But her warnings go unheeded until it may be too late ... for everyone.

“Orphan” is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (”House of Wax”), from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson and a story by Alex Mace. The film stars Vera Farmiga (”The Departed”), Peter Sarsgaard (”Flightplan”), Isabelle Fuhrman (”Hounddog”), CCH Pounder (TV's “The Shield”) and Jimmy Bennett (”Star Trek”).



Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, In Association with Dark Castle Entertainment, An Appian Way Production, “Orphan.”

Opening nationwide on July 24, 2009, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The film has been rated R by the MPAA for disturbing violent content, some sexuality and language.