Plot: What’s it about?
Molly (Gretchen Lodge) has moved back into her childhood home, with her husband Tim (Johnny Lewis). The home is in a rural area, making a quiet locale for the newly married couple. But what should peace and quiet turns into eerie events, as strange things start to happen around the house. The home alarm sounds and doors that were locked are opened, but no one is found to be in the area. While Tim is working as a truck driver, Molly is home often by herself and the unsettling events continue. Soon she hears voices, eerie music, footsteps, and other unexplained noises, all of which have her on edge. Her troubled past has shaken her mind, so she quickly begins to crumble under the pressure. Her husband tries to help her, along with her sister and a local pastor, but Molly continues to unravel. Is Molly’s mind still recovering from her past and causing these hallucinations, or is there really a darker force at work within the house?
I didn’t have high expectations for Lovely Molly, probably because the marketing kept reminding me it was from one of the creators of The Blair Witch Project. But the movie is actually quite good and is not just a thin novelty like The Blair Witch Project, but a well crafted horror experience. The atmosphere is excellent at times, with tension that heats up at an effective rate and a story that slowly unravels an eerie tale. The backstories of both Molly and the house are told at just the right pace, with enough details to keep your attention, but ample mystery remains. Gretchen Lodge is remarkable in the lead role, with a performance that runs the gauntlet of emotions and mental collapse. Her descent into terror is what drives Lovely Molly, so she deserves immense credit for helping to make the film as good as it is. Lovely Molly does have slow stretches and the conclusion isn’t stellar, but it is a well made horror picture that genre fans should appreciate. So if you like a good scare that is well written and performed, then Lovely Molly is a movie you’ll want to check out.
Video: How does it look?
Lovely Molly is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen. Aside from some scenes that were shot to look like home video, this disc offers an excellent visual presentation. I found depth to be superb, with fine detail like skin and fabric textures that stand out. The film has a visual design that tends to be dark, but contrast is up to snuff, so no detail is obscured. The colors look natural, but skew a little pale in some sequences. All in all, the movie looks terrific and fans should be pleased.
Audio: How does it sound?
A DTS HD 5.1 soundtrack is included, but it is rather forgettable. A film like this can benefit from a creative sound design, but this one never rises above capable. The surrounds get used here and there, but the tension is never enhanced via subtle presence, which is a shame. The dialogue sounds clean and clear throughout, while the music sounds fine as well. Not a bad soundtrack at all, but not a memorable one either. This disc also includes English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The extras here include audio comments from the director and a co-writer, four featurettes, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
