Despite a promising premise that would have done Rod Serling proud (a likeable heroine caught in a nightmare that forces her to question reality), Gothika plunges headlong into the ridiculous, turning what could have been a taut, atmospheric thriller into a joke.
Halle Berry portrays psychiatrist Miranda Gray, who blacks out after a horrific automobile accident, then ends up confined to the very asylum where she works. She's told she's accused of murdering her husband (Charles S. Dutton), the head of the institution. A fellow therapist, Pete Graham (Robert Downey Jr.), seems sympathetic to her cause, but can't help sort out why she's having visions of missing young women, what secrets her husband was hiding, and how her patient, Chloe (Penelope Cruz), is connected to these events.
Director Mathieu Kassovitz does a fine job creating a genuinely eerie atmosphere, but once Berry's character escapes in an effort to prove her innocence, the film leaves logic behind. The clues she cobbles together are too easily discovered; the mystery she unravels is too obvious. The film's problems are compounded by Berry's wooden performance, which makes her character unsympathetic. What's worse is that Gutierrez wheels out one cliché after another in the film's final half hour, borrowing obviously from other films, including The Sixth Sense.
Though chills and thrills are scarce in Gothika, it does provide one unintentionally funny moment. When Miranda Gray corrects Pete Graham about her condition by saying, with earnest conviction, "I'm not deluded, I'm possessed," it's hard to repress a belly laugh. If there's anything scary about Gothika, it's the possibility that there could be a sequel.
What other critics are saying. . .
Brother Bear [G] An American Indian gets turned into a bear. "A play-it-safe pastiche of familiar Disney tropes, from the senseless killing of a poor animal to the headstrong young adventurer to the ragtag comic relief to ... well, you can fill in the rest." (Gene Seymour, Newsday) Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
The Cat in the Hat [PG] One of the most popular Dr. Seuss tales comes to life in a film starring Mike Myers. "Comes scarily close to being the most unendurable Hollywood creation of the last dozen years." (Michael Atkinson, Village Voice)ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Elf [PG] A giant elf (Will Ferrell) wreaks havoc on an elf community so he's sent away to find he true identity. "Wan Christmas concoction." (Ed Park, Village Voice)Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
Love Actually [R] Five weeks before Christmas, and love is in the air for a large cast of characters who converge in London. "A roundly entertaining romantic comedy, Love Actually is still nearly as cloying as it is funny." (Todd McCarthy, Variety) Parkway Pointe
Looney Tunes: Back in Action [PG] The Looney Tunes cartoon characters hunt for a man's missing father and the Blue Diamond. "It will never be confused with the groundbreaking Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but when it comes to a zippy live-action-meets-animation kid flick with plenty of grown-up gags, Looney Tunes: Back in Action does not disappoint." (Luke Sader, Hollywood Reporter)ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [PG-13]A sailing tale told against the backdrop of Napoleonic wars. "A rousing high-seas adventure that sweeps you into another world." (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
The Matrix Revolutions [R]Third and final installment of the Matrix series."Conclusively proves that the Wachowskis had little substantial to add to the premise of the 1999 original." (Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Mystic River [R] Three childhood friends are reunited after one loses a daughter. "A haunting, ambitious but ultimately flawed film that treads some of the same somber moral territory director Clint Eastwood explored in Unforgiven." (Jonathan Foreman, New York Post) ShowPlace West
Radio [PG] The story of a relationship between a mentally-challenged man nicknamed "Radio" and a prominent high school football coach. "A lot of whitewash is poured over a subject solely to wring emotion from the hapless viewer." (Jami Bernard, New York Daily News)ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
The Runaway Jury [PG-13] A gun manufacturer's on trial and a juror and a woman on the outside attempt to sway the outcome. "It's proof, if any is needed, that [John] Grisham knows more about bestsellerdom than he does about law." (Michael Atkinson, Village Voice) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Scary Movie 3 [PG-13] Cindy must investigate mysterious crop circles and videos, and help the President prevent an alien invasion. ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Secondhand Lions [PG] A shy, young boy is sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy and eccentric uncles. "An enjoyable vehicle for its two stars -- and the maturing Haley Joel Osment." (William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)ShowPlace West
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre [R] The only known survivor of the killing spree comes forward to tell the complete story."Not only is this useless 'revision' ignorant of history, it panders to its modern audience with look-Ma visual brouhaha." (Ed Gonzalez, Slant) Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
Tupac: Resurrection [R] The life of rapper Tupac Shakur."A poet warrior of the first order emerges in this riveting chronicle of the brief life and times of rap superstar Tupac Shakur." (Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter) Parkway Pointe
