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Directed by Adrian Langley.
Written by Adrian Langley, Edgar Allan Poe.
Check out the
trailer here!
Michael Swatton plays Ambrose Whitlock, an owner of Gora’s, an antique
store that is seen by appointment only. Ava (Pragya Shail) an art major who recently lost her job, needs a new easel and makes an impression on Ambrose when she chooses to check out the store. Meanwhile, Paul Thomas plays Julian, a man hired to steal the Oval Portrait, a prize possession that is stored at Gora’s. But every time Julian sends someone in to get the portrait, they don’t come out. This utterly pisses off Grayson (played by BUTCHERS’ Simon Phillips), whose father wants the portrait no matter what.
From the director of the BUTCHERS Trilogy comes something completely different, an ode to the haunting ghost tales of the Amicus era. Adrian Langley proved he could make a proper slasher with his BUTCHERS
films, but who knew he could construct such a charming little film about vengeful ghosts, diabolical thieves, and the appreciation of
antiquity. While this may be seen as a departure from the more in your face horror of the BUTCHERS Trilogy, Langley highlights his range to make a more subtle tale of suspense by putting the spotlight on mood and atmosphere of the dusty old museum rather than gratuitous gore and violence. There are some scares to be had, but they are more moody scenes of ghostly goodness.
And as with the last few Langley films, he has a set of actors who he brings with him every time. I’ll watch anything with Simon Phillips in it. Ever since his savage portrayal of a mad serial killer in BUTCHERS, I’ve sought out any and all films he’s starred in and even when the film isn’t that good, he’s always spectacular in it. His role is smaller here in THE OVAL PORTRAIT, but integral to the plot. Pragda Shail is a fresh new face playing a plucky and likable protagonist, innocent of everything but being passionate about art and antiquity. But the real surprise is Michael Swatton’s leading turn as Ambrose Whitlock. If this were a Hammer film, this role would be played by Vincent Price and Swatton plays it so as a gentle but ominous museum owner. Swatton has played more dim-witted and lackey roles in previous Langley films. It’s great to see Swatton’s range tested here and him fulfilling that challenge wonderfully.
Elevating the film immensely is the dramatic and opulent score by Andrew Morgan Smith.
The music makes one feel like they are watching a high-end Hammer film of old. While the film is light of big scares, THE OVAL PORTRAIT does deliver a jolt or two. But it’s the respect and love of those old Hammer films that really makes this one worth seeking out. THE OVAL PORTRAIT is a little gem that I recommend for those who appreciate the more subtle and sublime old school horrors.
