Now here’s a strange one – Oscar Wilde’s short story from 1987 shaped into a family friendly animation. The central spook of the original story is a nobleman who killed his wife and was walled in and left to starve. Surely too dark a tale to centre a children’s animation round?
And yet directors Kim Burdon and Robert Chandler have found a way round the ghoulish details, taking the basic story of an American family moving into the haunted abode, and focusing the emotional heart of the film on the daughter who befriends the spectre. And while much of the runtime may struggle to stand out from the pack, a rich, interesting finale helps elevate proceedings.
The voice cast is a thick roster of British talent with the likes of Freddie Highmore, Toby Jones, Meera Syal, Miranda Hart, Imelda Staunton and David Harewood all to be heard. And whilst none quite have the material to stand out there are those who make the film their own. Emily Carey makes a rich, compelling lead, playing off well with Stephen Fry’s ebullient spook. And a late appearance from Hugh Laurie is part of the reason why the last act feels so compelling.
When this film manages to escape some rather rote animated endeavors (the antics here rarely capture the imagination) it becomes something much more interesting and, at times, beautiful. Even the rather ghoulish details are fitted effectively into the narrative, making this a minor but worthy autumnal treat.
And yet directors Kim Burdon and Robert Chandler have found a way round the ghoulish details, taking the basic story of an American family moving into the haunted abode, and focusing the emotional heart of the film on the daughter who befriends the spectre. And while much of the runtime may struggle to stand out from the pack, a rich, interesting finale helps elevate proceedings.
The voice cast is a thick roster of British talent with the likes of Freddie Highmore, Toby Jones, Meera Syal, Miranda Hart, Imelda Staunton and David Harewood all to be heard. And whilst none quite have the material to stand out there are those who make the film their own. Emily Carey makes a rich, compelling lead, playing off well with Stephen Fry’s ebullient spook. And a late appearance from Hugh Laurie is part of the reason why the last act feels so compelling.
When this film manages to escape some rather rote animated endeavors (the antics here rarely capture the imagination) it becomes something much more interesting and, at times, beautiful. Even the rather ghoulish details are fitted effectively into the narrative, making this a minor but worthy autumnal treat.