Echoes of Fear (Stir of Echoes (DVD))

Member Name: xBorgx

Product:	Stir of Echoes (DVD)
Date:	02/07/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Doesn't let you down, does what it says on the tin.

Disadvantages: Not too many

I don't know how many film reviews I have written, I dare not go and look. Several of these reviews have been about movies in the Fantasy and Horror sections, but few have made me feel genuinely 'creeped out.' One that certainly does, though, is Stir of Echoes. I first stumbled across it five or so years ago, having reorded it of Sky TV or something.

Thoroughly enjoyable, this movie, starring Kevin Bacon in the lead role is pretty spooky to say the least. You are hooked from the word go as the opening scenes introduce you to the main characters, including Bacon's on screen young son Jake. Jake is chatting away whilst in the bath, seemingly talking to the camera, as Bacon's character Tom Witzky is in the background strumming on his guitar.

Jake Witzky says, 'Can I ask you a question? Does it hurt to die?'

That is when the chills begin to race down your back...

Tom is married to the lovely Maggie Witzky, played by Kathryn Erbe and they appear to be of a working class background. Maggie is pregnant and Tom is a bit daunted by this fact. During a party, Maggie's sister Lisa hypnotises him and from then on, he begins to have hallucinations. He keeps having visions of a young lady being murdered and this lady keeps appearing in his house, but it would seem that only he can see her.

Tom hates the visions to begin with, but soon has to find out who this person is and what they want. She appears, giving him cryptic messages and looking delightfully scary. He finds out that his son 'sees' her too and...

I am not going to give anything else away about the story line. Suffice to say that it is 'formula,' as are most films of this genre, but that is not to say that is isn't good.

Bacon is brilliant in the role, playing a man haunted - he certainly looks the part, and to me this versatile actor just gets better. Erbe is the cute concerned wife, but also with a bit of 'meat' to her. The actress is flawless and she is quite pretty too. Jake is suitably good as the son.

The storyline is well put together and keeps you gripped until the last scenes. Few horror films get me feeling scared these days, but this certainly does. Reminiscent of The Sixth Sense, the tension and the shocks grow as the film progresses. The effects are pretty standard, but I recommend this to all who like good ghost stories and those who fancy something different.

Bits and Bobs...

Release date 1999

Directed by David Koepp

Run time 99 minutes

Main Cast...

Kevin Bacon .... Tom Witzky
Kathryn Erbe .... Maggie Witzky
Illeana Douglas .... Lisa
Zachary David Cope .... Jake Witzky
Kevin Dunn .... Frank McCarthy
Conor O'Farrell .... Harry Damon
Liza Weil .... Debbie Kozac, the Babysitter
Lusia Strus .... Sheila McCarthy
Stephen Eugene Walker .... Bobby
Mary Kay Cook .... Vanessa


To conclude, I enjoyed watching this film: it has all the rudiments of what makes a good chiller. It is hard to pull off a ghost film without it becoming comical or trite. The writers, director and actors pull it off extremely well. There are elements of mirth here, but they are done in a subtle way, without the film becoming daft.


Also published on Ciao UK, in a slightly different format, by me as 'Borg.'

Summary: Creepy, ghostly, ghastly, well put together film...