Weekly Review -- Creeping up...

The Unborn (2009) -- There will never be a time when audiences grow tired of films involving the occult. Ghosts, demons and other apparitions, mixed in with a little paranoia and disbelief, can turn a movie into a suspense goldmine of subjects that captivate the imagination. David S. Goyer's The Unborn does deliver in terms of scares; however, it falls flat in terms of detail and, occasionally, logic. Strange things are happening to student Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman). She is having nightmares about dead infants and a mysterious little boy who seems to be following her, she is seeing things that should not exist and, to top it off, her eyes are eerily changing color. Through research and consultations with a Holocaust survivor (Jane Alexander), Casey comes to understand that a curse has been haunting her family for decades and seeks out a rabbi's (Gary Oldman) assistance. If she does not beat the curse, she dies, but how does one stop the unimaginable? Having seen the previews, I figured that any movie starring Gary Oldman and two of the "Dexter" cast cannot be bad. Well, it is not, but it does not the top of the genre pile make, either. For starters, I both liked and disliked the Holocaust element. The evil committed during this period represents one of the most shocking examples of human depravity and, on a philosophical level, it is clear why this tragedy is plausible as a cause for cosmic revenge. However, therein lies the problem. This event does not need to serve as a supportive device in a fictional narrative, when its historical significance is undeniable. It does not stem from the realm of the paranormal; it is real life and fear itself that does not need to be blended into a cinematic haunting, since it is haunting enough. This part of the screenplay reminded me of the unnecessary September 11 references in Final Destination 3, although The Unborn does put its history into a comprehensible context. Still... I digress. Some parts of the movie make no sense. For example, where is Casey's father during the ordeal? One would think that a parent would kind of, sort of, maybe like to be informed if their child was possessed and getting an exorcism. Just maybe. Also, the family that Casey babysat for do not prompt an investigation into a death that occurs only a few days after she had been in their house, nor do they look into the strange behavior of their older child. These plot lines could have been explored further, possibly contributing to the screenplay, which is not a complex one. The writing becomes pretty repetitive after the first 45 minutes, focusing mostly on Casey's terror instead of using the interesting concept to delve into its themes without reservations. I loved the ending, which I thought was one of the strongest parts of the film, making us question many of the events that previously took place. As far as acting goes, I have yet to see Oldman give a bad performance, and The Unborn is no different. His subtle portrayal of the conflicted rabbi makes me wish that the movie was richer. Yustman is convincing as the bewilderingly tortured Casey, while Idris Elba has a nice turn as a helpful Catholic priest. The locations, from mansions to asylums to cathedrals, are appropriate for the creepy proceedings -- showing but not revealing, open yet secretive, always a few steps beyond the approachable. This movie is a fright fest that guarantees plenty of jumps; what it does not guarantee, unfortunately, is a layered story that analyzes its intriguing topic to the core.

6/10