Claire Holloway is a young, sophisticated author of a series of successful children's books. Her personal life, however is far from a storybook tale. Visions of violence and death haunt Claire. She is tortured by a darknes... more »s that seems to seep from the corners of her subconscious. In hopes of clearing her mind, Claire takes her doctor's advice to go on a sabbatical. She decides to stay at the Rose Marsh Farmhouse in the countryside, which looks suspiciously like the house she sees in her nightmares. Almost immediately upon arriving at the farmhouse, Claire is jarred by a series of escalating and unexplained happenings. She has plunged into a frightening world controlled by the ghost a ten year old girl the very girl that Claire has seen in her dreams many nights before. In her search for clarity, Claire is joined by Noah Pitney (Justin Louis), a charming and handsome publisher of the small town newspaper and by Hunt (Forest Whitaker) a paranormal consultant. Claire and Hunt start to unravel the village's dark secret.« less
David Bruce C. from MOUNT BERRY, GA Reviewed on 9/4/2009...
Good movie. Good plot. Good acting. More thriller than horror, but with a touch of each.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Good Ghost Story
RonTampaBay | Palm Harbor, Florida United States | 06/15/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This really is a good ghost story... not a 'things that go bump in the night' through the whole movie like others (Messengers for example).
The plot continues to develop throughout the movie, and if you can predict the ending of this, then you are pretty intuitive. It was quite a surprise ending.
I really enjoyed it."
Forest Whitaker in Derivative Supernatural Thriller
Tsuyoshi | Kyoto, Japan | 02/19/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Popular children's book author Claire Holloway (Gabrielle Anwar) is tormented by nightmares. It is about a spooky mansion and the surrounding marsh and in the dream she always has to witness something very disturbing, which is getting worse every night. Following advice from her therapist (and watching a TV program), she moves into a farmhouse in the countryside that looks exactly like the one in her dreams. And of course, she soon learns that the house is haunted.
Claire's decision to live in the house seems quite a drastic method to face her fear, but she is helped by a kind local resident, paranormal phenomena consultant Geoffrey Hunt (Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker). They investigate the strange occurrences in the house and the marsh, but the process is not particularly new or unique.
"The Marsh" has right ingredients to make a good ghost story - good actors, good photography and good production designs - but they forgot one thing: good script. The story is derivative and the film is not scary. The film becomes interesting in the final chapter, but the wait is too long.
Forest Whitaker gives a solid performance (as always) and Justin Louis is also effective as support, but even these talented actors cannot do much in the predictable plot and narrative that include typical sound effects, flashbacks and a creepy little girl in white. How many times have we seen creepy little girls since "The Ring"?"
The Door...
Bindy Sue Frřnkünschtein | under the rubble | 02/12/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Claire Holloway (Gabrielle Anwar from Body Snatchers) is a children's book author haunted by recurring nightmares about a house, a little girl, and a marsh. She actually locates the house on the internet and soon moves into it! Strange occurances begin almost immediately, forcing Claire to seek the assistance of a paranormal investigator named Hunt (Forest Whitaker from Body Snatchers, Species, and Panic Room). The mystery deepens as the supernatural events intensify, leading to a final showdown between humans and the restless spirits. I was frequently reminded of POLTERGEIST and THE RING, but not enough to ruin things. Both Anwar and Whitaker have an authentic quality that helps in the suspension of disbelief. THE MARSH is a worthy addition to any ghost story collection..."
Deffinitely worth owning!
Michael Jones | SPAIN | 08/11/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It was not the best BUT no where near the worst. I really enjoyed it and would deffinitely watch it again with friends. I highly recommend buying this movie. The acting and script is excellent."