Ivy and Ellie: The Woman in Black

Its hard to say if this movie would have worked with any other actor. Or if this movie could have worked without a character driven story. I can't think of any other splendid actor but Daniel Radcliffe for the part of Arthur Kipps. Also, Daniel is bringing sexy and sensitive back to short guys.

The movie is a period piece. The Victorian age. Long before computers and fax machines, lawyers had to actually go on trains and long carriage rides to remote places they needed to be. Right away, we know Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) has had a very sad life. Even during a morning shave, you may wonder if he is just a little suicidal.

“You know, the story was so good and so compelling and I wanted to be a part of telling it. It was quite that simple. Obviously, the part was really interesting and when I met [director] James [Watkins], that became an incentive as well, to work with him. And also, I felt, because of those little art house movies I made, that people would be going in expressly to try and see bits of Harry in the performance, and I thought that a film like this, which has an incredibly strong story, that people would be less–I think, because the story’s so engrossing–people would be, after the first ten minutes, they would forget about maybe what they came in to try and see.”-Daniel Radcliffe

In the Victorian days was the age of new spiritualism, superstitions and connecting with the afterlife. These are all wonders that still fascinate us. Isn't that why we want to see this movie in the first place? Its also romantically historical, yet filled with creepy toys and scary houses. Honestly, the film has an authentic nostalgia to it, making it the perfect ghost story..from costumes, dark rooms and even sideburns!

The wonderful Sophie Stuckey plays Stella Kipps

As it is, Radcliffe's Kipps goes through his day seeing his lady in white, the ghost of his dead wife who died during their son's child birth. Yet, he has to pay the bills too, so he's sent to a very remote village to settle what's left of a place no one wants to go too.

The setting is amazingly wicked. A beautiful house out on the marsh. Its terribly scary, but so inviting, too. Naturally, there are many rooms in the house. And Kipps is all alone, discovering all sorts of creepy things. The movie lingers with suspense. The village people are mysterious, as well. Kipps soon learns horrible things are happening in the village to the children. Of course, the villagers are sure its because Kipps came to town. After all..he saw the woman in black.

Perhaps this story has been done. However, we are moved by the character Kipps. His sensitivity. His beauty. And I'm happy Daniel Radcliffe is Arthur Kipps. Honestly, its a fond transformation. Those Harry Potter days are over. Radcliffe is definitely moving on.

If you are up for a truly good old fashioned ghost story, this is the movie for you. Its based on Susan Hill's novel.

During afternoon tea, there’s a shift in the air.
A bone trembling chill that tells you she’s there.
There are those who believe the whole town is cursed.
But the house in the marsh is by far, the worst.
What she wants is unknown but she always comes back.
A specter of darkness, the woman in black.