Saturday, October 17

Movie Review: Stonehearst Asylum (2014)



Length: 1 hr & 52 mins
Released: 2014
Genre: Mystery
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: On Netflix

SUMMARY:

When young doctor Edward Newgate arrives at Stonehearst Asylum in search of an apprenticeship, he is warmly welcomed by superintendent Dr. Lamb and a mesmerizing woman by the name of Eliza Graves. Edward is intrigued by Lamb's modern methods of treating the insane until a series of unusual events leads him to make a horrifying discovery, exposing Lamb's utopia and pushing Edward to the limits of his conscience. Inspired by a short story from Edgar Allan Poe, Stonehearst Asylum is a tale in which nobody is who or what they appear to be.



TRAILER:




REVIEW:
This was a random find on Netflix. I really had no idea this was based off of Mr Poe's short story (I hadn't read this one in particular until after the film). The creators did an excellent job with capturing the essence of Mr Poe's writing in the story. I think the man would be proud of this film.

The short story is extremely short, so they had to do some vamping to the story to make it longer and more interesting. Of course, a love interest was added. HOWEVER, I feel it only added to the story. What?! I know - even I am confused by that sentence. But it worked. At first I was meh about the odd love Newgate had for the crazy lady *cough* I mean Lady Eliza. I didn't get his immediate attachment, buuuuut the ending made it make sense. I approved of the love match at the end.

I am glad, though, that Lady Eliza didn't fall in love until near the end. The lady was traumatized by her abusive husband! Heck, she bit the husband's ear off and stabbed him in the eye! Kuddos to her by the way, but since that marriage she can't handle when men (or even some women) touch her until she feels comfortable with that person. It's actually quite sad. 

I had no idea what was going to happen in this movie, because I didn't read the summary or the short story. I had no idea what had occurred. I will have to say...I'm kind of on Lamb's side. Back then the methods to take care of the clinically insane was horrible and disgusting.  It was inhuman. 

Oooooh! The ending. Certainly amazing. I loved it. I had a sneaking suspicion, buuuuuut I wasn't certain and I didn't think the last minute twist would actually happen. 

This was a random find and I'm glad Boyfriend made me watch this. I honestly liked the movie version better over the short story. Surprised? I certainly am. This was a fun Halloween movie to watch and I highly recommend it to those that like some dark in their life. It isn't horror or scary, just dark and full of mysteries. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5 stars.  

Re-watch?: Sure will.








2 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

I had not read the story so I did not see things coming

Carole Rae said...

Same here...I'm glad I didn't, because I feel like this was better if I didn't know much.