The word "gothic", in literary terms, refers to a novel in a style emphasizing the grotesque, mysterious, and desolate. Mathieu Kassovitz's Gothika is the fictional story of a young psychiatrist who must lose her sanity before she can truly understand her perception of what is real, as seen through a gothic camera lens. Blending an all-star cast with great writing and directing, the film cleverly investigates the human psyche with respect to perception of the world around it.
Dr. Miranda Grey (Halle Berry) treats psychotic patients at the Woodward Penitentiary for Women. Her husband is the chief administrator, and with his encouragement, Grey endeavors to help as many mentally ill patients as she can. Miranda herself is a rational, methodical person. She doesn't like irrational behavior and doesn't understand it, especially since her life is so straightforward. However, one day, a strong thunderstorm alters Dr. Grey's route home, and logic goes out the window with a thud. Dr. Miranda Grey wakes up in the morning in the psychiatric ward of Woodward, but there is something horribly wrong. Miranda is in one of the cells as a patient, drugged and under surveillance, with no idea why. Now Dr. Grey must convince her old colleagues that she is not crazy but the more she tries, the worse things get. Then Miranda learns she is being held as the lead suspect in the murder of her own husband, and reason is exiled from her mind. Hallucinations, nightmares, and self-inflicted wounds plague Miranda daily, forcing her into a psychological downward spiral.
Halle Berry is amazing, and is sure to win some awards for her performance. She is able to portray insanity without coming over the top. In many scenes, Berry is left to rely on her true skills as an actress, appearing alone in a cell for long periods of time. Hard as it might be, Berry actually improved upon her talent in Monster's Ball, for which she won the Oscar for best actress last year. Berry doesn't steal the show, because it is served to her on a silver platter. The actress was made for the role.
Robert Downey Jr. is convincing as Dr. Graham, employing perfect mannerisms for his character. This is important because his character is instrumental in creating an awkward backdrop for his relationship with Miranda, forcing the audience to take note and question his motives. Penelope Cruz delivers a great performance as Chloe Sava, both as a patient in the penitentiary that no one can seem to cure, and as Miranda's partner in crime when the two are together.
Kassovitz directs a beautiful movie with sharp cinematography. Kassovitz is able to bring the audience into the story by incorporating a stunning sound track that oozes suspense. He even demonstrates mastery over the use of symbolism, especially with water, lights, and reflections. His representations of Miranda's nightmares and hallucinations are dazzling and his tempo for the movie is quite astute. For originality, Kassovitz has many scenes where the camera moves through glass, noted by a slight distortion in the camera focus.
Kassovitz holds you in the palm of his hand throughout the film. About five times during the screening, the entire audience screamed out loud in unison. Just when you least expect it, a gruesome face jumps out from its hiding place, staring you right in the eyes. Kassovitz has an uncanny ability to drop hints throughout the movie about the real culprit for all the insanity. Then, just as the audience thinks it has it figured out, Kassovitz hits you with an uppercut that knocks you on your back.
Mathieu Kassovitz's Gothika is a masterpiece of precisely calculated and scrutinized scenes. It is clear that the French actor/director is very talented and I can't wait to see his next internationally released film. I give the film a 92 out of 100. Gothika is the thriller of the year.
