Better Late Than Never Movie Review: Pan's Labyrinth

I've always been a sucker for stories that juxtapose myth and magic with the every day world. (The Spouse and I, for example, adored an NBC mini-series that ran a few years ago called "The Tenth Kingdom". It was superfantastic. We were the only people who watched it). Whether it's the Fractured Fairy Tales of Rocky and Bullwinkle days, retelling of well-known tales with a completely different take ("Ever After", for example) or a story like "Ella Enchanted" that mixes fable with modern day anachronisms, I love the way that the archetypes of fairy tales can be used to comment on modern concerns. There is power in these ancient stories and the fact that writers and directors keep coming up with new ways to interpret old tales and symbols is fascinating to me.

Consequently, I was predisposed to love "Pan's Labyrinth", the 2006 Spanish film that had so much buzz and was expected to be a shoo-in at the Oscars. (Which it was for all things artistic: cinematography, art direction and make-up, but shockingly, not for best foreign film). And love it I did.

A young girl, Ofelia, played by the mesmerizing Ivana Baquero, leaves the city with her pregnant mother to live in the country with her new step-father. It is post-Spanish civil war and the step-father is a captain in Franco's army. He is, to be brief, not a nice man. Played with a chilly sort of charm by Sergi Lopez, the Captain is everything you would expect in a fascist. Cold, unimaginative, ruthless and not at all pleased with his step-daughter who he would no doubt dislike merely for being a girl but who is also dreamy and bookish, his total opposite. Her mother clearly chose to be with him out of a desire for protection rather than any particular affection but is too sick with her pregnancy to be of much support to Ofelia. The Captain treats his pregnant wife as an invalid and is distant and stern with Ofelia. (Not to mention he's occupied with trying to rout out a band of resistance fighters who are operating in the surrounding hillside).

With mom on bedrest and a wicked step-father to avoid, Ofelia is left to her own devises. She is led by magical means to a labyrinth where she encounters a faun. He tells her that she is a long-lost princess who must perform 3 tasks in order to return to the underworld kingdom she left oh, so long ago.

And that's all I'm going to tell you about any of the action because you know how I hate when people tell you every detail of a movie until you think, "well, no sense in bothering with it now...I know everything that happens".

Here's what I enjoyed about the movie:

It is absolutely gorgeous to look at, intricate and stark by turns. There is a darkness to the magical world that mirrors the reality Ofelia is seeking to escape. It's a more comforting place and a refuge because she feels she belongs there but it has its own measure of dangers and unknowns.

The performances are excellent. Even the smaller roles are full of depth and the characters are ably rendered by the cast. Miss Baquero is herself magical, with her big eyes and entirely believable performance. Another standout is Maribel Verdu, who plays Mercedes, the housekeeper (and resistance plant - I'm not giving away anything), who befriends Ofelia.

The story is compelling, blending edginess and charm as Ofelia weaves in and out of magic and reality. Her nonchalant embrace of the magic is what helps her to cope with the wretched realities of life with the Captain. She believes that magic will heal her mother, magic will keep her safe. Belief, however, is not enough. Ofelia must be very brave as she faces her 3 tasks. In the end magic and reality collide and it is Ofelia's courage that decides her fate.

One reviewer I read suggested the film was appropriate for ages 12 and up. I chose not to let The Child see it. There is a smidge of rough language and there is some very ruthless violence that is appropriate to the story but a little harsh for a young thing. Still, I look forward to the day a year or two hence when I watch it with her. Movies with strong girl characters are always a gift and this one is no exception.

I highly recommend it.

The Film Czarina gives "Pan's Labyrinth" 4 out of 5 Koihead.