Das Geisterhaus (1993)

Das Geisterhaus: Directed by Bille August. With Maria Conchita Alonso, António Assunção, Julie Balloo, Frank Baker. A rancher, his clairvoyant wife and their family face turbulent years in South America in this adaptation of Isabel Allende’s best-seller.

“I just do not get very inspired in this treatment of Isabel Allendeu0026#39;s novel. The worst thing is that I cannot even identify exactly what it is that does not succeed in really drawing me into the story. Evidently the film is well made, beautiful filming, and the cast is really extraordinary, with some magnificent interpretations. The make-up department did excellent work on the aging process of the players. This is the second time I have seen this film, but the storyu0026#39;s continuity did not get me really sympathising with and feeling for the characters. There is something missing: however, no way can either Meryl Streep or Jeremy Irons, among the other leading actors, be blamed for this. There is something abstract here which I cannot explain. It may be arguable that this film is better than `Missingu0026#39; (1982) (qv), however `Missingu0026#39; pulled me much more into the story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCertainly, in no way should you pass up this film if you get a chance to see it: there are very good interpretations, at times even wondrous, combining with very intelligent photography and Hans Zimmer doing some of his best work.”