#Review The House with a Clock in its Wall
The House with a Clock in its Wall (2018), directed by Eli Roth, is a fantasy children’s film, set in the 1950s in New Zebedee, Michigan. The film is based on the 1973 novel of the same name by John Bellairs. Jack Black stars as Uncle Jonathan Barnavelt, a magician and warlock, who acts against the glamorous Cate Blanchett, who plays Mrs. Zimmerman-a witch, his next-door neighbor and cohort. They have joined forces to thwart the evil intentions of Isaac Izard, a rogue magician, played by Kyle MacLachlan, and his sinister wife, Selena Izard, played by Lorenza Izzo. The plot thickens and takes various twists and turns when 10-year-old Lewis, comes to live with his unconventional uncle, Jonathan Barnavelt, following the sudden death of his parents. Owen Vaccaro plays the precocious, nerdy and needy 10-year-old Lewis and Sunny Suljic plays Tarby Corrigan, his self-centered school chum who turns on a dime.
The film, situated within Mid-century America, gives the film a depth and complexity. The soundtrack, the costumes, and sets beautifully echo the period evoking feelings of nostalgia for the past. Roth juxtaposes the narrative of 10-year-old Lewis, mourning the loss of his parents while adjusting to his new life in his uncle’s household and his desperate need to belong, against the evil machinations of the magician Isaac Izard. Roth weaves together many visual elements to create a fantastic appealing film. He incorporates dream sequences, special effects, animation, recreates black and white sequences of the Second World War involving Kyle MacLachlan, magical moments, and scenes of horror and suspense, which layers the film with additional notes of richness. Some of the most tender scenes in the film involve the evolving relationship between Lewis and his uncle and Mrs. Zimmerman. One of the most memorable scenes in The House with a Clock on its Wall I suspect is a homage to Hitchcock’s film The Birds involves Lewis being attacked by flying books and being saved by his uncle.
The director has woven together many visual elements to create a compelling film where tragedy meets heroism set against Mid-century America following the Second World War. If you are a fan of family dramas, children’s movies, and/or fantasy, you’ll love this film. It is an inspirational film that celebrates the human spirit in the face of adversity. I enjoyed The House with a Clock in its Wall for it’s an inspiring story about love, compassion, and heroism and doing the right thing. The film, although somewhat formulaic, will definitely pull at your heartstrings. Do see it for you won’t be disappointed!
Universal Pictures releases The House with A Clock in its Walls on Friday, September 21, 2018
[Review by Stefan Chiarantano]