From the creators of The Blair Witch Project comes Lovely Molly. A horror film to carry on the genre Eduardo Sanchez prefers but completely different to the documentary, black and white, running around the woods film previously made. With the lead, Gretchen Lodge (Molly), starring in her first feature film anything could happen. Johnny Lewis who has racked up a few more feature films and TV appearances, plays her new husband Tim. Alexandra Holden, who plays Molly’s older sister gives the film more credibility considering nothing else does.
Everything is not as it seems from the get go. Documentary style, we see Tim and Molly’s cheap wedding thrown together, they are clearly a couple in love, or so it seems. The next move – live in her dead family’s old run down home. The setting is ominous and almost immediately spooky goings on occur; creaking floorboards, locked doors opening and voices resonate throughout the house. On a day-to-day basis we begin as an audience, to see the deterioration of Molly, her relationship with Tim and her general mental health and well being. The lovely Molly is not so lovely anymore. What is the reason for this?
The Blair Witch Project this isn’t. With a story line that focuses on mental health rather than a crazy witch, it seems that Eduardo Sanchez felt it was time to explore human fear in a different way. The lead, Gretchen Lodge, was perfectly creepy and disturbed. I was really surprised at how believable she was on screen considering her lack of experience. She made Lovely Molly what it was, not the plot, nor the setting. The look in her eyes as the film moved on was dead and petrified simultaneously. Few actors can master the true ability to become the character, Gretchen grasped it with both hands. Johnny Lewis, who played Tim was average. The film was not focused on him though, for he was merely a catalyst for events to happen around, mainly to drive Molly to breaking point.
Lovely Molly was not nearly as unique as The Blair Witch Project was when first released. This film follows on from the many haunted/possessed films that Hollywood and “small time” production companies churn out. The plot was acceptable but not surprising. Despite this I did have to avoid watching the screen a few times in the theatre. A good sign overall. If Eduardo Sanchez wants to be known for anything other than The Blair Witch Project then he needs to add some spice to his scare tactics.
Lovely Molly: Ranked 30th in All Time Found Footage Films
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