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The Skeleton Key (2005)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Ehren Kruger (written by)
Release Date:
12 August 2005 (USA)
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Tagline:
It can open any door. more
Plot:
A hospice nurse working at a spooky New Orleans plantation home finds herself entangled in a mystery involving the house's dark past. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(42 articles)
Competition: Win an iPod Nano with NBC Universal
(From HeyUGuys. 27 October 2009, 8:33 AM, PDT)
Ehren Kruger is Sole Writer For "Transformers 3"
(From Reel Empire. 7 October 2009, 8:13 AM, PDT)
(From HeyUGuys. 27 October 2009, 8:33 AM, PDT)
Ehren Kruger is Sole Writer For "Transformers 3"
(From Reel Empire. 7 October 2009, 8:13 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
still spooked by the ending
more (335 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Kate Hudson | ... | Caroline Ellis |
 | Gena Rowlands | ... | Violet Devereaux |
 | John Hurt | ... | Ben Devereaux |
 | Peter Sarsgaard | ... | Luke Marshall |
 | Joy Bryant | ... | Jill |
 | Maxine Barnett | ... | Mama Cynthia |
| Fahnlohnee R. Harris | ... | Hallie (as Fahnlohnee Harris) |
| Marion Zinser | ... | Bayou Woman |
 | Deneen Tyler | ... | Desk Nurse |
 | Ann Dalrymple | ... | C.N.A. |
| Trula M. Marcus | ... | Nurse Trula (as Trula Marcus) |
 | Tonya Staten | ... | Nurse Audrey |
 | Thomas Uskali | ... | Robertson Thorpe (as Tom Uskali) |
 | Jen Apgar | ... | Madeleine Thorpe |
 | Forrest Landis | ... | Martin Thorpe |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, some partial nudity and thematic material.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) |
Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) |
Brazil:14 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Argentina:13 |
Peru:14 |
Taiwan:R-12 |
Belgium:KNT |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) |
Malaysia:U |
Iceland:16 |
Portugal:M/16 |
South Korea:12 |
Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) |
Canada:PG (Ontario) |
USA:PG-13 (certificate #41757) |
Ireland:15A |
UK:15 |
Finland:K-15 |
Germany:16 |
Norway:15 |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:R13 |
Australia:M |
USA:R (original rating) |
Sweden:11 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Czech Republic:15 |
Philippines:PG-13 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The Felicity Plantation in St. James Parish, Louisiana, was used as the Devereaux house.
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Goofs:
Continuity: At the end of the movie Caroline is brought into the house by Luke. She has her hands tied behind her back and has mascara streaking down her face. When we see her again, the streaks are not running down her face but just around her eyes, yet she has no hands free to wipe them off.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Caroline Ellis: [reading from Treasure Island] I lost no time, of course, in telling my mother all that I knew, and we saw ourselves at once in a difficult and dangerous position. Something must speedily be resolved upon, and it occurred to us at last to go forth together and seek help in the neighboring hamlet...
[...]
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Caroline Ellis: [reading from Treasure Island] I lost no time, of course, in telling my mother all that I knew, and we saw ourselves at once in a difficult and dangerous position. Something must speedily be resolved upon, and it occurred to us at last to go forth together and seek help in the neighboring hamlet...
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#22.46)" (2005)
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Soundtrack:
Think Louie
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FAQ
What was the purpose of the "remedies" that Violet was giving to Ben?Will there be a sequel?
What's up with the mirrors?
more
more (335 total)
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Part of the success of this type of movie is setting up and making sure its resolution lives up to its expectations. I must say that in this film everything seems to work, and yet... I'm not sure what spooked more: its ending or the nature of its ending.
The film deals with the adventures of a young care worker in the middle of Louisiana. The atmospheric surroundings, the haunting score, beautiful, spooky photography, and some very good acting by Rowlands and Kate Hudson raise the bar for upcoming "horror films". We're glued to the screen for nearly two hours, as things become more mysterious and intriguing. A few times we're treated to a jolt and a revelation, but what closes the film is bound to ruffle a few feathers.
Above all, this is a very good movie, with a script that doesn't cheat anyone and doesn't rely on silly gimmicks. Those factors should portend good tidings for its success in its original release, but it will probably become a classic of its kind. The heroine in distress manages to be smarter than the usual stereotype. She wants to explore the surroundings and solve the problem. The problem is she has no idea how bad the situation might be.
Gena Rowlands provides her character with nuances rarely seen in this type of film. She is a strange character and hooks up the audience from the very beginning. There is no really an archetype for what Rowlands brings to life. A few might find the previous statement questionable, but if you look closely to the development of her character, it is almost an original.
Kate Hudson makes a very strong impression in this film. She goes beyond the pretty actress to an accomplished performer who matches up to Rowland's intensity. She navigates the film with an ease rarely seen in today's roster of plastic pre-packaged pseudo celebrities. It is refreshing to see an actress make you care for the character that has so often been portrayed as an offensive stereotype. There no gratitude's screaming scenes here. The film reminds me of "The Others", a movie with substance and intelligence.
This is a film that I will highly recommend to my friends, particularly because I want to hear what they have to say about that ending.