Starring:
Emma Vilarasau as Claudia Horts de Gifford
Karra Elejalde as Bruno Massera
Tristán Ulloa as Quiroga
Toni Sevilla as Franco
Brendan Price as Marc Gifford
Jordi Dauder as Forense/The pathologist
Nuria Cano as Policía
Isabel Ampudia as Secretaria
Carles Punyet as Jefe de Claudia
Aleix Puiggali as Tipo Malcarado
Susana García Díez as Chica Piscina
Pep Tosar as Toni
Carmen Capdet as Monja
Manel Solás as Hombre Silla de Ruedas
Víctor Guillén as Hombre Flaco
Special Features:
None
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.85:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish with English Subtitles
English Language Track
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Synopsis:
This film was originally released in Spain in 1999. It is based on the British novel “The Nameless” by Ramsey Campbell. The following is from the DVD cover:
“An intense thriller in the riveting style of Seven from the director of Darkness! Five years after her daughter was brutally murdered, Claudia remains mired in despair and can’t move on with her life. Then she receives a phone call from a young woman claiming to be that daughter, Angela, asking for help and stating that a nameless “they” only wanted Claudia to think she was dead! With skeptical authorities unwilling to help, it’s up to Claudia herself to investigate the shadowy subculture of danger and secrecy that holds the answer to Angela’s true fate! Lauded with numerous international movie awards including Best International Film at the Fant-Asia Film Festival, The Nameless will put you on the edge of your seat as the mystery deepens all the way through its pulse-pounding conclusion!”
The Nameless is rated R for violence, disturbing images, graphic nudity and language.
The Movie:
Even though this is only the second film I’ve seen by director Jaume Balaguero, it looks like he’s already falling into a pattern. His two films Darkness and The Nameless have a lot in common. Both feature satanic cults. Both feature betrayal by those closest to our hero. Both feature unsettling scares. Both feature disturbing endings that stay with you long after the film ends. Because of this viewers familiar with his work might find this movie more predictable than those exposed to Balaguero’s work for the first time.
Despite similar plots, I found The Nameless to be a bit more disturbing than Darkness. Darkness deals with the supernatural while this movie deals with something that could more realistically happen. I found it even more unsettling because it graphically shows a 6 year old girls’ hideously decomposed corpse. Having a young daughter myself and seeing kidnapping and murders of children on the news, it hit a little too close to home to make me comfortable. Seeing children brutalized in a movie went a little beyond what I consider entertainment.
Like Jaume Balaguero’s other film, The Nameless displays wonderful sets, locations, and cinematography. His work is very reminiscent of David Fincher not only in style but in tone. Though I wasn’t totally enamored with this movie or Darkness, I’d like to see what this director could do with other scripts.
The acting is pretty good in the film. Emma Vilarasau stars as Claudia Horts de Gifford. She’s the tortured mother of the kidnapped girl. Her depression and anguish is well played by the actress. Karra Elejalde plays ex-cop Bruno Massera, another tortured soul who helps Claudia in her search for her daughter. The rest of the cast is made up of a colorful group of supporting actors that all play their roles well.
I think if you’re a fan of Darkness, horror dramas, or David Fincher, then you may want to check out The Nameless. It was a little too disturbing for my tastes, but I’m sure fans of Jaume Balaguero will get a kick out of it.
The Extras:
There are no bonus features included on this DVD.
The Bottom Line:
The Nameless will appeal to anyone that likes horror dramas like Seven. However, fans that have seen Jaume Balaguero’s other film Darkness may find it repetitive.
