The Marsh [Import]

Popular children's book author Claire Holloway (Gabrielle Anwar) is tormented by nightmares. It is about a spooky mansion and the surrounding marsh and in the dream she always has to witness something very disturbing, which is getting worse every night. Following advice from her therapist (and watching a TV program), she moves into a farmhouse in the countryside that looks exactly like the one in her dreams. And of course, she soon learns that the house is haunted.

Claire's decision to live in the house seems quite a drastic method to face her fear, but she is helped by a kind local resident, paranormal phenomena consultant Geoffrey Hunt (Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker). They investigate the strange occurrences in the house and the marsh, but the process is not particularly new or unique.

"The Marsh" has right ingredients to make a good ghost story - good actors, good photography and good production designs - but they forgot one thing: good script. The story is derivative and the film is not scary. The film becomes interesting in the final chapter, but the wait is too long.

Forest Whitaker gives a solid performance (as always) and Justin Louis is also effective as support, but even these talented actors cannot do much in the predictable plot and narrative that include typical sound effects, flashbacks and a creepy little girl in white. How many times have we seen creepy little girls since "The Ring"?

Claire Holloway (Gabrielle Anwar from Body Snatchers) is a children's book author haunted by recurring nightmares about a house, a little girl, and a marsh. She actually locates the house on the internet and soon moves into it! Strange occurances begin almost immediately, forcing Claire to seek the assistance of a paranormal investigator named Hunt (Forest Whitaker from Body Snatchers, Species, and Panic Room). The mystery deepens as the supernatural events intensify, leading to a final showdown between humans and the restless spirits. I was frequently reminded of POLTERGEIST and THE RING, but not enough to ruin things. Both Anwar and Whitaker have an authentic quality that helps in the suspension of disbelief. THE MARSH is a worthy addition to any ghost story collection...

I have been looking for a good ghost story to come around. As a fan of the Ghost Story movie with Fred Astair and the Chowder Society. I was hopping that Hollywood would start coming back with some old fashion ghost stories. The creature stuff with the fancy graphics has become somewhat repetative. An American Haunting is another good break in the monotany.