Absorbing gothic romance ghost story

Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak’ can safely be called “a Gothic romance ghost story” though it is ridden with quite a few side issues. But the lazy, almost halting pace, is a clear asset in this nearly two-hour absorbing drama.

“Ghosts are real,” says Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) at the start of the show and the ghosts keep entering and exiting in various shapes and sizes, some skeletal, others fleshed out but never really eerie or scary.

Edith is in love with Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and marries him much against her father Carter’s (Jim Beaver) wishes. But Thomas has a shady past and in the present is in a strange, even incestuous relationship, with his sister Lady Lucille (Jessica Chastain).

The setting is North England, Aberdale Hall to be specific, a creepy Gothic mansion in disrepair, leaking and Thomas keeps looking for finance. One of them is excavating for red clay, also called Crimson Peak, and hence the title. But apart from stray shots of this exercise, most of the action is centred on the threesome —Edith, Thomas and Lucille —and their nefarious activities.

Dr Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam) is also in love with Edith but keeps off-screen most of the time, only to reappear towards the end. Del Toro’s establishing shots are strong and Dan Laustsen’s caressing camerawork keeps the story moving at a steady pace.

There are times when it appears to be ending but happily for the viewer it finds a way out, thanks to a clever screenplay co-written by del Toro. “Beautiful things are fragile,” is just one example.

Mia Wasikowska, despite being on camera for long spells, is at best enthusiastic but it is Jessica Chastain who steals the show with a winning performance. But Tom Hiddleston plods his way around trying to make the best of the weak character he plays. Never mind the tame ghosts; ‘Crimson Peak’ is well worth watching.

Film Name : Crimson Peak

Cast : Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston & Jim Beaver

Direction : Guillermo del Toro

Genre : Horror drama

Likes : Jessica Chastain, screenplay and camerawork

Dislikes : Running time

Rating : ****

By Ervell E Menezes