SOLSTICE

Title: SolsticeCast: Elisabeth Harnois, Sahwn Ashmore, Tyler Hoechlin, Amanda Seyfried, Matt O’Leary, Hilarie Burton, R. Lee Ermey, Jenna HildebrandDirector: Daniel MyrickProducers: James D. Stern, Adam Del DeoScreenwriters: Daniel Myrick, Marty Musatov, Ethan ErwinMusic: Jane Antonia Cornish, John HoulinEditor: Mathilde BonnefoyGenre: Thriller/ Drama Running Time: 87 min.Cinematography: M. David Mullen Distributor: Viva Production Location: Louisiana, USATechnical Assessment: * * *Moral Assessment: ● ● ●CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and aboveThe suicide of her twin sister, Sofie, haunts Megan(Elisabeth Harnois) who feels guilty that she had notdetected warning signs and even reprimanded the formerfor her strange behavior. To pack the things of hersister in their summer house in Louisiana, she decidesto push through the annual visit there together withher friends, Christian (Shawn Ashmore), Zoe (AmandaSeyfried), Mark (Matt O’Leary) and Alicia (HilarieBurton). They meet and befriend Nick (TylerHoechlin) the young storekeeper and anthropologystudent who teaches them how to communicate with thedead and that the best time to do this is in asolstice when the sun is at its highest, a time whenour world and the other world is allegedly closest..They also encounter an eccentric, old neighbor Leonard(R. Lee Ermey) whose granddaughter who used to staywith him disappeared mysteriously. When Meganexperiences weird incidents in the summer home, shefeels that Sofie is trying to send her a message. Herdetermination to unlock the mystery of her sister’sdeath will lead to shocking secrets that will finallycome to light in a solstice moment.Louisiana’s lake and marshy inlets, particularly atnight, lend a spooky setting to the story. The musicand the sound department creditably create andheighten suspense. The summer outing of the grouplasts only for three days but flashbacks enable theviewers to know past events and their bearing to somecharacters. The film is more textured than a NancyDrew mystery since it introduces the presence of aspirit, communication with the spirit world, and has asurprise ending. The female lead, Megan, is portrayedas incredibly brave and daring who can intrude into aweird neighbor’s house and miraculously escape. Thefilm adopts overused images and sounds intended tohorrify, like the imprint of a bloody hand on thewindow, blood flowing from the faucet, slamming of adoor, a trail of blood on the floor and strangevoices.Although casual sex, dialogues and sexualinnuendos in the film may be acceptable to the westernculture, it is not the exposure we would like forour young people. While praying for our departed onesis encouraged, calling on the spirits as a game or anexperiment could be a dangerous exercise. But thereare many lessons that one could learn from Solstice. It warns those who are easily distracted, like thosewho use their cell phones while driving, or those whodrive under the influence of alcohol, how theseindulgences can lead to serious accidents. It alsoreminds us to be more caring and supportive of familymembers who need our attention and help. We shouldacknowledge our failures or mistakes and beresponsible for the consequences of our actions.There are no secrets that remain hidden forever.Unless confessed and atoned for, feelings of guilt fora wrong done could harm persons psychologically andlead to their destruction. We need good friends tomake us whole and bring us closer to the truth.