"LEFT IN DARKNESS"
DVD Review
by Rachel Buccicone
| MOVIE: * (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Monica Keena as CELIA David Anders as DONOVAN Chris Engen as GRANDPA JOE Not Rated Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment Directed by: Steven R. Monroe Back to DVD Review Home |  |
Whether you realize it or not, the number of horror films released every year is greater than any other genre. Scary movies are just far too easy to make. The acting talent required is negligible, plot lines of monsters and killers involve minimal writing skills, and a tiny budget will get the job done. Considering all of that, may I present “Left in Darkness”.
Celia (Monica Keena) was raised by her grandfather (Chris Engen) because her mother died in childbirth and her father ran off. Luckily, Celia has an invisible friend named Donovan (David Anders) who watches out for her. On Celia’s 21st birthday she attends a wild frat party where she celebrates by being drugged, raped, and murdered.
Celia has entered the strange world of the undead. The now visible Donovan acts as her guardian angel and tour guide of Purgatory. Donovan explains that she must remain in areas of bright light called Sanctuaries to protect herself from the Soul Eaters who want (you guessed it) to eat her soul. A two-hour time limit means Celia must find a way out of Purgatory or be stuck there eternally.
This new world is centered in the frat house where Celia died. She is able to view the land of the living through mirrors but cannot intervene. In the basement of the frat house is a door leading into darkness. Celia has a bad feeling about this, but Donovan insists it is her only way out.
Celia stalls for those two hours during which she discovers Donovan is not all that he seems. She has visions of heaven and must find a way to travel there on her own and be reunited with the mother she never knew.
“Left in Darkness” is the premier work by writers Philip Day and Jane Whitney. They shouldn’t feel badly, though, it WAS their first attempt at film writing. “Left in Darkness” reminds me all too much of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Celia is transferred to an alternate reality where her guardian angel tries to explain how things work. She, like George Bailey, spends the first half of the film denying all her angel is telling her. The difference between the two films (besides one being a Blockbuster) is that the details of Celia’s alternate world don’t make much sense. If the main plot isn’t bad enough, the ending certainly is: “Left in Darkness” has the happiest ending of any horror film I have ever seen.
There is no real skill in horror acting. David Anders (“Alias” [TV]) as Donovan does a suitable job of giving his character some depth; beyond that no one gives a notable performance.
The only commendable aspect of this film was the cinematography and editing. A variety of color filters clarify the difference between each realm of reality. Angular shots add a sense of confusion while the use of jump cuts in editing gives the film a distorted feeling. Truly, the camerawork and editing are the only techniques that create the mood of the film.
The DVD offers a “Making of” segment and audio commentary as well as a feature involving the cast and crew remembering their 21st birthdays. The best thing about this DVD is the glow-in-the-dark slip cover that may accompany it.
Unless someone is looking for a heart-warming horror film, I would not recommend this film to anyone. The story idea may be of some value, but the writing absolutely ruined it. Few people may find this film frightening, but ultimately I feel all will be disappointed.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Widescreen (1.85:1). English Language Track. Closed Captioning for the hearing impaired.
