aka T.M.A.
90 min., 2009
Directed by Juraj Herz
Language: Czech (English subtitles available)
My rating: 
IMDB • Netflix
A refreshing take on the house-with-a-secret scenario.
* * *
People generally have a special place in their hearts for the house they grew up in. No matter where I live, I still refer to my birthplace as home. My house. It doesn’t matter that I haven’t lived there in 20 years. But what do we really know of the secrets houses keep?
Marek (Ivan Franek) is a successful musician who decides to move back to his childhood home for a break. Since it is in a small village (naturally) it isn’t much of a surprise when we find out the villagers aren’t too happy about someone inhabiting the old house again. With only fuzzy memories at best, can he find out what exactly is wrong with the place before it consumes him?
Atmosphere is hard to keep up in a film. There are many distractions and frankly so many minor details that can make or break it. Director Jurj Herz successfully keeps it consistent throughout. With a score that always stays just underneath, complimenting instead of overpowering, and scenery that feels alive, we are in for an experience. This isn’t merely a story being told but events that are happening. The lighting is spot on and a lot of lesser directors could use a refresher course from him about making a film dark (literally) without resorting to making the picture unwatchable.
Writer Martin Nemec keeps us involved with the characters at all times. Even when you think you know–there’s still something left to wonder about. I like to think I’m a bad ass–too smart for movies–and Nemec puts me in my place. I needed that! I was intrigued the entire time and oh so invested in figuring out what I was missing.
Is this the Holy Grail of films? Nah. The lady that plays Tereza (IMDB doesn’t list who played her) was a bit irritating and far too eager with her acting. There are a few obligatory nude shots and sex scenes that may or may not enhance the plot. But overall they are minor criticisms that don’t necessarily detract from the experience. Everything else is so good that it’s easy to forget about those tiny bumps in the road. (I was also excited to see tiny nods to Fulci and Argento.)
It may not be gory, and it definitely is more thriller than pure horror but Darkness has enveloped my heart and I can’t stop thinking about it. It was exciting to watch a film that had me guessing. As a matter of fact the ending lends itself to interpretation and whatever scenario I come up with fits quite well. This is a solid film that never loses steam and should definitely be added to your own list of must-see movies. (Also? The country is now called Czech Republic not Czechoslovakia. Sigh…I’m old.)
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I wonder how many people you’ll lure into this review thinking that you mean this movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0273517/ And I wonder how many will be disappointed . . . .
I didn’t realize there was another one with the same title, although I should have figured out that this is a fairly generic title to begin with. I definitely don’t condone watching the Jaume Balaguero film though…. both of his films that I’ve seen (and reviewed) were all sorts of crap.
In Balaguero’s defense, I believe he also co-directed [REC], which I seem to recall being an okay movie.