Horror Movie Reviews
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Title: Lady in White (Director's Cut) (1998) |
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Review of Lady in White (Director's Cut)
- An impressive labor of love from independent writer-director Frank LaLoggia, this low-budget supernatural thriller was a sleeper hit in 1988, deservedly praised by critics and horror fans for its effective combination of ghostly terror and small-town charm. The influence of Steven Spielberg can be felt in the movie's imaginative scenario, but it's also got the affectionate appeal of autobiographical nostalgia, mixing details of LaLoggia's own youth in upstate New York with a frightening tale of Halloween horror. It begins when young Frankie (Lukas Haas) is locked in a grade-school cloakroom on Halloween night of 1962; he witnesses the ghostly image of a little girl and is nearly strangled to death by an unknown assailant. From that point forward, Frankie is convinced that the ghost is somehow connected to the Lady in White, a haunting vision of local legend. A black janitor is tried as Frankie's attacker and suspected in a series of unsolved murders, but recurring apparitions lead Frankie to the truth of the case--a revelation of real-life violence and supernatural wonders. This plot may be a bit too cluttered for a conventional ghost story, but the movie's ambition works in its favor by providing an emotional subtext for its youthful sense of wonder. There's an abundance of charm and humor, but this also a moving story of grief and loss, tracing young Frankie's adjustment to the death of his mother. This gives Lady in White more depth than is typical for horror thrillers, and the movie further benefits from the obvious care and compassion that LaLoggia brought to its creation. --Jeff Shannon
Amazon.com
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Comments for Lady in White (Director's Cut)
- Posted on 2008-05-19
SPOOKY!
Adults as well as kids will enjoy this made for TV movie. Grat casting.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2008-04-12
Good Stuff
I was happy to find this movie on Amazon. I loved it as a kid, and wanted my kids to watch it. When they did, they liked it too. It is a haunting story with a pleasant ending. It is not very violent.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2008-01-18
Not Just For Halloween...
In 1988, director Frank Laloggia treated unexpected audiences to a sentimental ghost story, which tugs at all the right strings and provides a few genuine scares along the way. There's so many reasons to like this film, from its wonderful cast, to the atmospheric soundtrack, to the well-crafted screenplay; it's easy to see how this became a sleeper hit during the late 80's. It sets out to achieve telling a simple ghost story, but accomplishes much more. Perhaps some of its charm can be credited to Laloggia himself, who apparently returned to his homespun roots to film this picture.
Lukas Haas stars as a precocious ten-year-old boy who stumbles upon a mystery while locked in the cloakroom of his school on Halloween night. The film takes place during the early 60's, and therefore Lagoggia devises a subplot revolving around the element of racism in the small-town. This perhaps was an unnecessary attempt to thicken the plot, but it doesn't distract from the main story too badly.
This DVD was originally released in 1998, and included the full musical soundtrack, and director's commentary, along with a host of deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes. For a short period, the film was out of print, and copies of the 1998 release had sky-rocketed on ebay. The print is surprisingly crisp on this film, and the sound is remastered for the 1998 edition.
Even if it isn't Halloween, this film is a treat to watch any time of the year. It may be too intense for children under 13, so preview this yourself before sitting down with youngsters.
Score: 4 - Posted on 2008-01-17
OK, this was a tough film to watch...
This film is about a boy who, after being locked into the school house, witnesses a ghost being murdered. After that he is attacked and almost killed. Racism and the feel of the period, with the cars and form of dress, gave the movie a real feel of reality. Things become weird and, yes, a tad scary. A audio commentary by the director plus behind the scene footage and deleted scenes add to the extras and make the DVD worth buying and adding to one's collection.
Not for young kids.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-12-18
YAWWWWN...BUT O.K. I GUESS?
In 1962 doe-eyed Haas is locked overnight on Halloween(gotta love that)
in his school's cloak room,where he spies the ghost of a little
girl murdered there 10 years earlier and becomes the target of the
still-uncaught killer. Sometimes admired,this SLOWLY(hey,what's new
its a ghost story)paced film has atmosphere and good acting but is
riddled with plot holes and features in my 30 yrs of watching HORROR
theeee MOST obvious identity of a mystery killer! I mean seriously
the killer might as well wear a neon sign.
Recommended for lovers of The Changling-Don't Look Now and Sixth Sense
Score: 2