THE CURSE OF AUDREY EARNSHAW
Directed by: Thomas Robert Lee
Starring: Hannah Emily Anderson, Catherine Walker, Jared Abrahamson, Jessica Reynolds
In a secluded rural farm community which has changed little since it was established by Irish pilgrims, the crops have failed for the seventeenth year in a row, ever since a mysterious lunar eclipse. The only farm which continues to prosper belongs to Agatha Earnshaw, which has lead to much superstitious accusations. What the locals don't know is that Agatha really is a witch, and has managed to hide from the other villagers that she has a daughter, Audrey, now 17 years old and beginning to question her mother's authority…
The most bizarre aspect of this film is that it is actually set in 1973, although you would hardly know it. Very little has changed in this community since Irish settlers arrived over 200 years ago. There is a moment when a small plane flies overhead, much to the joy and bewilderment of the local children, and the appearance of a truck at the end, but otherwise there is hardly anything to establish the film's period setting.
This isn't a film that wants to be coy about whether witches exist or not. What is interesting is that the villagers don't believe in it, even when the evidence stares them in the face. Despite their old ways they are too forward thinking to entertain the idea seriously, however there is resentment, envy and bitterness towards Agatha and her crops.
Agatha must take Audrey to a special ceremony being conducted by the other members of their coven. In order to travel through the village unseen, Audrey has to hide in a wooden box on the back of the cart. Unfortunately such is their timing that they accidentally disturb the burial of Colm Dwyer's young boy. Angry, Colm lashes out at Agatha, and is witnessed by Audrey hiding in the cart.
Audrey is angered by what she saw - not only that Colm hit her mother, but that Agatha didn't retaliate. She seeks advice from the Coven Mother who tells her how to place a curse, which thus sends in motion the possible end of the community.
The film splits its time between the worsening relationship between Agatha and Audrey, who is rebelling more and more against her mother's authority and putting their survival in jeopardy, and the slow destruction of the families touched by her curse. These include Colm for hitting her mother, Bernard Buckely who had learned of Audrey's existence and Lochlan Bell, who had tried to steal some crops.
There is a very sparse atmosphere to the film, befitting with the period lifestyle of the community at large. The cinematography utilises natural light - even though as I said the film is set in the 1970s this community doesn't use electricity. The acting is great but it might take a moment or two to get accustomed to the accents.
The central performances from Jessica Reynolds and Catherine Walker are superb. There is a sense of wonderment and inquisitiveness to Audrey. She wants to explore the world around her but is aware of the dangers that poses. At the same time, she can sense that she is developing an inner strength and power and is frustrated that her mother is acting as gatekeeper to her true potential. At the same time, Agatha is filled with a sense of pride for who her daughter is becoming while simultaneously starting to be afraid of what that might mean.
THE VERDICT
Full of atmosphere, The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw builds at a steady pace, keeping the audience on board while the protagonists remain in the dark. This is a tense film with some bleak, sorrowful moments which highlight the cruelty being meted out. The pace isn't slow but methodical and you're never really sure how things will develop.
8 out of 10 RECOMMENDED (MikeOutWest)