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ORPHAN (Rated R for disturbing, violent action with some sexuality & profanity)
Here's a movie that goes back to the innately evil kid genre that has been used at best with such films as "The Other" and "The Bad Seed." A sweet-appearing, talented & precocious girl (Vera Farminga) is adopted by needy parents (Isabelle Fuhrman, Peter Sarsgaard) and is accepted into the family when the mother suspects the orphan to be a cold-blooded murderer. Her fears and warnings are ignored until the worst happens.
The plot is cleverly created, director Jaume Collet-Sera makes good use of David Leslie Johnson's mostly well crafted script to create a sense of dread - augmented by Jeff Cutter's shadowy photography and John Ottman's toned-down musical score. Cast seems more to direct itself than work in tandem with the director, but is adequate to flesh out the roles. Ms. Farminga is especially frightening as the orphan, especially as she develops from sweetly innocent to devious and horribly evil.
It won't win any awards, but is worth two hours in the dark. Trimmed here & there, it would be even better.
B-
Archived Movie Reviews
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