Leofwine_draca
PAPERHOUSE is an immersive and interesting British horror/fantasy film of the 1980s that has enjoyed some measure of cult success since it was first released nearly 20 years ago. It's certainly an oddball movie, low budget and rather slow-paced, but my advice is to stick with it because it's a journey that does pay off. This is an imaginative tale about a girl who goes on a psychological journey into a make-believe world with some very odd characteristics.It's one of those films which would be spoilt by saying too much about it. The main thing I can say is that this is classic British 'weird' - a genre with a fine literary tradition - and the titular construction is very well realised and memorable. The young cast give naturalistic performances, backed up by old-timers like Ben Cross, and the spooky atmosphere is second to none.
Johan Louwet
I had my doubts about watching this as I was fearing for another "Bridge to Terabithia" in which I was very disappointed. But I'm very glad I have watched this. Even though it does have its scary moments I would define this much more as a drama movie with fantasy elements rather than horror or thriller. I was really impressed by the acting of both kids Anna and Mark who showed good chemistry. Their relationship was heart-warmingly beautiful even more because they actually never meet in real life only when Anna is sleeping. A drawing coming to life in a dream I did see it before in "Mirrormask". While Mirrormask isn't bad Paperhouse does it much more effective and touching and doesn't add these random things that puzzled me and where I couldn't understand the symbolism of. The ending is bitter-sweet and satisfying. Even though 90 minutes seemed perfect I wouldn't have mind that the movie had been a bit longer (I guess I just wanted more moments between Anna and Mark). It's based on a book, I'm interested in reading it now.
Vivekmaru45
This is one of the most memorable films I saw in my younger days. Dreams have always fascinated me. This film is about a young girl Anna, who draws a sketch house in her drawing book. She then has a fainting spell. When she wakes up, she finds herself looking at the very house she has drawn.She then realizes the enormous potential her house has. She starts first by drawing an occupant in the first floor of her house(which is actually a face in the window). She forgets to draw any doors or stairs in the house. When she has her fainting spell again, she finds her new occupant is a boy called Marc. Marc states that he had been living in the house before Anna arrived. Anna tells Marc to let him in, but Marc replies that he can't as Anna hasn't drawn any stairs or doors.Anna draws some stairs and doors and furniture for her next visit. She finds Marc is a cripple who can't walk. She tells Marc that when she drew him, she forgot to give him any legs. Marc tells her that he isn't a drawing but a real person and that he has been in this way for a very long time.Who is Marc and what happens next is for you to find out.If you can afford it, buy the DVD of this film, you won't regret it.This film is directed by British director Bernard Rose, who directed the horror film Candyman(1992) based on Clive Barker's short story The Forbidden. I thoroughly recommend you see Candyman if you haven't seen it yet.
Fitz
I'm glad that this is available on DVD now. This film is an excellent example of the triumph of content & style over empty-headed flashing lights & constant loud noises.Essentially, if you have a short attention span or lack the wit & imagination to engage with literary narrative you won't like this film. The reasons for this are quite simple, but unfortunately rarely achieved: Matthew Jacobs has done a fantastic job of transposing the story of Catherine Storr's novel 'Marianne Dreams' successfully to a screenplay. An unenviable task as anyone who has seen a film of a book will undoubtedly know.The casting is excellent, allowing director Bernard Rose to use the actors in a way that is rarely seen now; they indulge in the craft of acting! I know, I know, actors doing their job & acting instead of resorting to mugging inanely at the camera lens whist a kaleidoscope of car chases, explosions & fire fights break out around them is a genuinely rare treat, but it does actually happen in this film.This brings me to the final reason that this is a film for the imaginative thinker & not the spoon-fed tabloid reader - Apart from a solid script, direction & acting, it relies on atmosphere, suspense & implied horror. If it is to be categorized as horror then the presentation of 'Paper House' is more in the vein of Sophocles than Tobe Hooper.In conclusion then, if you like lots of loud noises, explosions, constant cuts, & bright flashing colours you'd be better off watching 'Transformers', but if you like a suspenseful story which unfolds through a skillful & evocative use of narrative without insulting your intelligence by force feeding you cacophonous nonsense then this might just be your thing.
AD
