Half Light (2006)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Craig Rosenberg

Writer (WGA):

Craig Rosenberg (written by)

Release Date:

17 January 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Believe in the beyond.

Plot:

Rachel Carlson, a successful novelist moves to a small Scottish village to move on with her life after the death of her son. Strange things start to happen when she is haunted by ghosts and real life terror.

Plot Keywords:

Lighthouse | Birthday | Drowning | Writer | Lighthouse Keeper

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Demi Moore	...	Rachel Carlson
Henry Ian Cusick	...	Brian
Beans El-Balawi	...	Thomas Carlson (as Beans Balawi)
Kate Isitt	...	Sharon Winton
Nicholas Gleaves	...	Dr. Robert Freedman
James Cosmo	...	Finlay Murray
Joanna Hole	...	Mary Murray
Therese Bradley	...	Morag McPherson
Hans Matheson	...	Angus McCulloch
Mickey Wilson	...	Reverend James McMahon (as Michael Wilson)
Polly Frame	...	Librarian
Ceit Kearney	...	Gaelic Speaking Woman
Nichola Bee	...	Kate McCulloch (as Nichola B)
Jamie Edgell	...	Gordon McCloud
Anne Smith	...	Bingo Announcer

Also Known As:

Half Light - Gefangen zwischen Licht und Schatten (Germany) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some images of violence.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

Germany | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | Malaysia:18SG (uncut) | Malaysia:U (cut) | Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:15 | Greece:K-13

Filming Locations:

Cornwall, England, UK

Company:

Lakeshore Entertainment

Trivia:

The movie the family is watching on TV is "Dead of Night" (1945).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Rachel is struggling with the anchor chain, the padlock changes position between shots. In one shot it dangles a few inches below her feet (which, by the way, would mean there's enough slack in the chain to escape). In another shot it's at her ankles, where it was fastened in the first place.

Movie Connections:

Features Dead of Night (1945)

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday To You

Surprisingly good... give it time!

I was lucky enough to see a copy of this with my wife recently... and wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! The acting of all characters was very good, with Ms. Moore putting in an excellent, yet sometimes implausible (scripting?), performance. The shooting of the film is excellent with the locations adding much to the feeling of the film. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing, even if you think you have it worked out within the first half, as we both did, you'll doubt yourself from then on in.

My one criticism is the start of the film. It feels somewhat piecemeal and directionless, perhaps on purpose to mirror the main characters state of mind, but it just doesn't seem to gel, and the scoring feels the same, however don't let that stop you watching this film as once past the first few scenes you will be tripping over yourself trying to figure it out.

All told this was a well produced, well filmed, well acted movie, and don't believe any of the 'horror' tags, it's more suspense/thriller, and very good to boot!