Michael Almereyda, whose unusual career finds him bouncing betweenpersonal experimental movies and genre pictures, is back in commercial territory with the supernatural thriller The Eternal, which was given the opportunist... more »ic yet appropriate subtitle Kiss of the Mummy to cash in on the success of 1999's The Mummy. Alison Elliot and Jared Harris star as an alcoholic American couple who travel to Ireland with their son so he can meet his grandmother and, ostensibly, so they can dry out. ("Ale isn't like alcohol. It's like food," she explains to her dubious son as she immediately violates her vow to quit drinking.) Unfortunately, they walk in on their crazed uncle (Christopher Walken), who is in the midst of reviving a centuries-old Druid witch--who looks just like Alison Elliot! Almereyda manages to create some genuinely spooky moments (the underwater photography in particular takes on a dreamy beauty), but much of the film has a slapdash quality, from clumsy special effects to awkward performances. The exception is Elliot, excellent as usual in the double role and conveying more with her eyes alone than many actors can manage with words, while Jared Harris offers a dead-on Walken impression in a humorous interlude. It's a gorgeous film with a marvelously eerie soundtrack, but the story is too slight to carry the tension through to the end. --Sean Axmaker« less
"Once again Christopher Walken is scarier than the monster. I wish I could post some of the one liners about his character, but it would spoil it when you watch. The dual role woman is gorgeous. The male lead looks a little like a younger Walken, I wonder if that was intentional. For those other posters who didn't get it, the Granny significance is obvious if you think about it. The details were not specified, but what's wrong with that? The soundtrack was pretty cool, too. Sounds a little like Dido. I only saw VHS version, so I couldn't read the soundtrack credits... anyone who sees DVD version should post some of the music credits."
Soundtrack Info
traderje | 10/17/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For anyone wondering about the origins of the first track of
this film, it's a song titled "Rockets" by Cat Power. I've
always loved this song and was quite surprised to hear it in
a film. This movie surprised me quite a bit. Much better than
I expected, especially considering the horrible DVD cover that
the studio gave it."
Horror,Romance and nice soundtrack.
traderje | 06/15/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Released on video in Brazil a month ago,this film mixes horror and romance in a cool way. Walken's character,uncle Bill,gets so fascinated by the female druid mummy and her story through the centuries and falls in love with her in hope she'll suddenly comes back to life to save him from boredom.But her story was so sad although intense that might make you think if it's worthy to leave all plans and purposes behind for a great passion. Yes,there is also blood in some scenes,but I think this a very nice movie and somehow reflective. Walken's performance is as good as ever and the other actors are also alright.The soundtrack is nice,mixing indie guitar and techno bands plus good incidental tunes. Yes,do see this film."
Fantastic sound engineering
Vincent Sauve | Oakland CA | 09/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It was many months ago that I watched this film on DVD. I wish to add something that no other reviewer has given emphasis to; The film has the most awesome sound track I have ever heard. I have a very good home theater audio set up (of modest cost). The audio track completely surprised me with the dynamic range and eerie sounds. If you think you have a good wide-ranging sound system, you will want to watch this film. The film is okay even if your sound system is lacking. Sound effect 5 stars. Visual imagery 4 stars. Story 3 stars."
Likeable Horror Fare
carolyn5000 | 06/18/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I enjoyed this film immensley, but felt let down by an ambiguous ending. Walken isn't onscreen for long, but the couple are extremely charismatic and likeable. The camerawork and interesting use of flashback were the best parts of the movie. Also, this was set in IRELAND not Scotland as the above indicates! The reason I don't give it 5 stars, is that the Druid "witch"'s intentions are never really explained. What does she want? We are told at one point she wants the heroine's soul, but this isn't expanded upon. The film is nice to look at, and has startling imagery, but the plot is incomprehensible."