Meg Tilly Was Wonderful- The Movie Didn't Equal The Book, However...

Reviewed by Geary A., Jones, 2008-06-25

I believe ( unlike so many others ) Meg Tilly's accent was thick, but workable. I found her to be every bit as erotic, haunting, and multi-layered as Richard Adam's character was in his book ( which happens to be one of my favorite ghost stories ever ), and I think that anyone that found Rupert Frazer's portrayal of 'Alan' to be too wooden certainly could not have read the novel. The character was stiff- as written. Meg Tilly always seemed to have an illusive, otherworldly quality about her that made her perfect for the part of the doomed, ethereal 'Karin.'

The movie was able to capture a good deal of the book's flavor, though not much of the mounting tension that Adam's so masterfully brought to the novel. It was, however, a quite watchable film.

a reasonable adaptation, and a haunting supernatural film

Reviewed by pjf, 2007-01-03

I read the book before I saw the movie, and I agree with the reviewer who said this movie hits most of the points of the book. The actors are not what I expected -- Desland is a bit too stiff and dorky, but he was in the book too, so he seems reasonably well cast, but Karen is supposed to be unbelievably beautiful and Meg Tilly doesn't seem so to me. The film is slow in parts, but then so is the book. I thought it a great supernatural film, understated and creepy, for those that like horror without a lot of slasher nonsense. I wish they'd put out a DVD edition.

extremely disappointing

Reviewed by AH, 2004-09-29

This movie is long and drawn out, and after sticking it out to the end it was a very unrewarding finale. The film does not work as a love story, mainly because (as one other reviewer said,) the English man is so stiff and non-passionate. I could not understand what she saw in him. As a character study it doesn't work either. Her character is inconsistent - at times innocent and ethereal, at times totally erotic and conniving. As a supernatural movie, well, it totally sucked. Oh, and Meg Tilly's overly done thick accent plus the fact that in any language she felt she did not have to move her mouth or speak up made her unintelligible most of the time.

Haunting ethereal drama

Reviewed by SC of www.chinyere.com, 2003-10-24

First, Meg Tilly is an awesome actress - I was very disappointed to learn that she stopped appearing in films to give her sister, Jennifer, a chance to also be noticed in her own right. Second, Meg is absolutely beautiful in an unusual way. Reviewers who don't appreciate her beauty have become too used to expecting magazine-cover girls.

Third, it's true that the English antique-porcelain collector guy is not sexy or so impactful (although his portrayer's acting also is breathtakingly perfect so I wouldn't be surprised if he's sizzling elsewhere) - He's not supposed to be sensually erotic like Karin - That's part of the story. Fourth, the supernatural images are not superfluous - They're also a central story element: Karin's emotions & actions are so intense and horribly tragic that they manifest themselves in palpable psychic energy and cruel, indirect, unrelenting reminders.

It's not at all hard to believe, at least not while watching this film. I've only ever been able to believe two films' horror elements instead of finding their scare attempts transparent, often accompanied by poor special effects. Only The Girl In A Swing and The Exorcist made me believe what I was seeing - Consequently I don't intend to ever see either again. I don't particularly like being frightened but if you do, or you're seeking exceptional artistry in film, check it out.

The only reason Girl in a Swing didn't garner my 5th star is that some of the supernatural occurrences are too confusing at first however they do make sense when your mind's been able to go over them enough times - like mine did for weeks even though I didn't want it to.

good movie

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2003-05-23

this is a haunting movie-i cried at the end-don't watch it if you are in a good mood because it is sad. meg tilly is beautiful and does well aside from the annoying accent. the english lead is a bit too stiff. most of all, the movie makes a powerful statement about the choices people make for love, guilt, morality, society, etc