The Daisy Chain (2008)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Now this is storytelling! With all of the drivel out there trying hard to pass itself off as Horror, in comes this film with its superb acting and terribly terrifying plot. Ireland has never seemed so scary! (I lived there for a year, saw some strange things, etc. but thank God never saw anything like this!) I give this one a 10 because there are no flaws, and the finale is both tender and utterly shocking! There's been no film made like this before, and it would be a good thing not to begin a trend or franchise with this one. Leave it as the singular gem it is, and enjoy!

(37%) The sort of film Hammer would have released back in the early 60's as a B- picture to a more memorable film. The plot itself is somewhat interesting, but it still sort of defies logic as adoption laws in the UK are filled with red tape, but what really lets this down the most of all is the fact that it just doesn't know what to do with itself toward the later stages with a quite poor ending capping off an already so-so film. The performances throughout are acceptable, with Samantha Morton supplying the strongest aspect, and some of the location work is good; but this still struggles to both scare and fill its quite short runtime even with an unneeded sub-plot surrounding Steven Mackintosh's character. Overall it's too good to be a must-see bad film, and not good enough to be plain good.

If you like films without unanswered questions and ambiguity then this film isn't for you. I normally like to discuss these ambiguities and unanswered questions with other but this films ending was very unsatisfying. It left a gap hard to fill. The scenery was pleasing and was generally well acted. The movie was dependent on the charm and eyes of Daisy. I can't deny that she is charming but the film is a little to in love with her. The plot is predictable. Predictable plots are fine if the ride to the conclusion is enjoyable enough. Despite the charm of the film, the solid acting and lovely Irish scenery this film is seriously lacking. When a film is lacking something I can't help comparing it to other spooky child films.If you like gore then this one isn't for you. This film is about suspense and human drama. This film is very accessible for those with a low horror tolerance. If horror film were based on curries then this would be tikka masala.

I saw this film at a sold out screening at the recent Raindance Film Festival. It is a beautiful piece of work both haunting and affecting. Samantha Morton gives an amazing performance as does Steven Mackintosh but it is newcomer Mhairi Anderson's perfectly judged performance as the waif Daisy that stays with you and keeps you guessing right up until the end. Shot in the magical but often bleak landscape of the West of Ireland this is a haunting and beautiful film that will stay with you for a long time. Another very very fine film from one of Europe's finest female directors whose individual voice and point of view is always interesting. Congratulations.