Fragile [DVD]

I have never been the biggest fan of gore, blood and films where the centre of it was purely watching a person being tortured. In no way do I faint at the sight of blood, but most "horror/thriller" films, mainly dominated by the American film industry, seem to think that: Blood + Scattered body Parts = A decent horror flick.

Also most actors used for them are ones who use stereotypical reactions, such as screaming hysterically and waving their hands about. In this light, I respect "Fragile" for trying to break the mold and presenting something new. However many other important contributing factors makes this film fall short of expectations.

The story takes place in the Isle of Wight, in a Children's Ward Hospital. A string of unusual occurrences are taking place when children start being deported to other hospitals. Noises are heard from the abandoned 2nd floor and children's bones are breaking when no accident has occurred. A nurse decides to take leave to figure it all out, her replacement, Amy, takes over the night shift when she becomes weary of the mysterious presence too...

If you are more into the obvious kind of fright, such as gruesome scenes and `jumping out of the unknown', this isn't the movie for you, as all the suspense elements are handled subtly and build up as the film progresses. There are quite a few unexpected twists (a welcome edition to the horror genre) and the story progress at a natural speed, rather than rushing through to the 'scary' parts and losing interest from it's audience.

I like the fact that this is a British made movie, even though the main character is American, most UK based films I've see are romance (such as Love Actually).

There are a few flaws, mainly involved with the ending that made this film fail to make a decent impression. One incident involving one of the characters dying, her thigh is punctured with a small metal pole amongst the rubble in the hospital; within a few minutes she is hanging onto her life by a small thread. If she was stabbed in the liver/stomach, or had her throat scrapped I would understand why she might not survive since major arteries are in those areas aa you can bleed internally as well as externally. However in the movie she was shown to be merely bleeding lightly, trickling mostly, I did not find it believable and found the portrayal too dramatic.

Also a usual element of kissing was involved towards the end that not only looked awkward but felt strange watching it. I won't go into detail who was involved as it will spoil the ending, and the kiss wasn't meant to be a sexual thing, however the characters involved, the meaning behind it - although original - was odd and uncomfortable.

If your goal in life is to watch every horror/thriller film out there or are looking for something out of the ordinary, give this a go. Don't expect it to be a oscar-winning performance but it's worth a hire and the time.

The Isle Of Wight.When night nurse Susan leaves the soon to be closed Mercy Falls Children's Hospital due to illness, she is replaced by Amy Nicholls(Calista Flockhart). There are only eight children left on the ward, the others having been transfered to the Island's main hospital, St James's. Amy soon bonds with a young orphan girl Maggie, who informs her new carer that a 'mechanical girl' called Charlotte is visiting the ward at night. Soon, as the hour of the hospital's closure nears, strange things start to happen at Mercy Falls with children experiencing mysterious fractures, and strange noises being heard at night. Amy decides to find out just who Charlotte is, if she exists at all and what she discovers puts both herself and her charges in terrible danger.....
This superlative supernatural horror is another triumph for Spanish director Jaume Balagueró. Having already made the highly underrated Lovecraftian horror Darkness, and bravely adapting the psychological horror of Ramsey Campbell to the screen with Los sin nombre, an interesting if ultimately flawed production. Balaguero's version of Campbell's The Nameless was in fact his first full length feature. Fragile, a U.K/Spanish co-production was made before Balagueró directed the masterful [Rec] and its sequel.
Fragile succeeds despite being a very slight tale. This is partly due to Balagueró's great visual flair and partly because Fragile tells its story so very well. Okay, the creaky old Hospital with its mysterious abandoned second floor is hardly a unique setting for a ghost story, but it proves very effective as the director provides the audience with some great set pieces and subtle shocks. For example, when Amy investigates the abandoned Second Floor, what starts off as a routine journey soon turns into a real tour-de-force of delcious chills. The two old spiritualist sisters remind one of the mediums in Roeg's Dont Look Now, imparting both advice and warnings to the inquisitive Amy, and the film ends on a quite beautiful note, very satisfying and necessary. It is lovely to see a good, old fashioned ghost story with well rounded characters an a real story to tell.
Despite casting an American star in the lead role, Balagueró relies heavily on a cast that mainly consists of British character actors. None dissapoint,as every performance was extremely well judged.
Having only just turned forty, it is exciting to think what Balagueró could bring to the horror genre in the next few decades, as his output so far has been so rewarding. As for Fragile, it's a real triumph, and essential viewing for those who miss the subtle horrors of films such as Night Of The Demon, The Innocents and other great tales of terror. A fantastic viewing experience. 5 out of 5

A chilling and suspenseful flick of a ghost story. Very unique as a film. Beautifully setted, beautifully acted as well. The build up to the climax is very well layed out, and everything is understandable. Very creepy in most places, not the "jumpy" sort, but the slow, suspensful type of creepy. Calista Flockhart is very well casted and acts just to the part. All I can say now is... watch it. And yes, it does keep very well along the lines of being a ghost story, rather than a horror film. Good shot!