If you're looking for a thrill a minute, this movie is not for you. If you're looking for a spill a minute, then get a couple of sponges, sit back and enjoy. This movie takes a long time to get going, and while there are certainly enough creepy moments, they take a lot of patience. Just to be clear, this is Hideo Nakata's original 2002 Japanese version of the film, not to be confused with Walter Salles' 2005 American version of the same story.

The story revolves around a couple who are in a bitter custody dispute over their daughter. No punches are pulled as the husband attempts to portray his ex in the worst possible light, bringing up her previous mental problems. It appears mom (Yoshimi Matsubara played by Hitomi Kuroki) had been editing a lot of graphic novels at the time, and the storylines got to her. No doubt these problems will work against her credibility later. Right now she has to find a place to live, and on her limited budget there ain't much out there. Creepy, run-down place? We'll take it!

The place is far from perfect and mom is soon battling maintenance guy and landlord over the continual leaks in the ceiling and the foul-tasting water. Her pleas go ignored and she has little time to address them herself as she's started a new job editing with a different firm. All of this leads to daughter (Ikuko played by Rio Kanno) having too much time on her hands to explore their new roof. She keeps finding a red plastic purse bearing the name Mitsuko. Mom's creeped out by this purse and keeps throwing it way, but the darn thing keeps coming back.

Who is this Mitsuko and why is her presence still felt? Glad you asked. She's was a girl the same age as Ikuko who lived in this very same apartment building and went to her same school who disappeared some time ago and has never been seen since. Spooky. Kind of.

I'm not the kind of guy who tries to figure movies out. I go along for the ride and just let them wash over me. In hindsight, I sometimes feel a little stupid that I didn't catch on to what seems so obvious later, but generally it makes for a better viewing experience. Why do I bring this up? Because this movie has a giant white elephant sitting in the corner the entire film which is insultingly blatant and really soured me on the film as a whole. It's just too obvious and it makes me despise the characters in the movie for being the morons that they are.

As I said, there's some decent creep factor, so if your looking for a moist psychological thriller, this may be your cup of tea.

Hamlin Grade: 3

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