The Woman in Black

One of the many problems with being a child star is that your audiences very rarely allow you to grow up. As this is Daniel Radcliffe's first lead since the Harry Potter films, it was always going to be interesting to see how it pans out.

I should point out that I haven't read the book or seen the play, so am seeing the film on a standalone basis. 

Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe) is a bereaved young solicitor with a three-year-old boy, who is sent by his firm to broker the sale of Eel Marsh House in the remote village of Crythin Gifford. Once there, among suspicious locals, save for a welcoming Sam Daily (Ciarán Hinds), he gradually uncovers for himself the story of a black-cloaked woman that lures children to their deaths.

I know that this is a very short synopses of the film, but there is an awful lot of detail and I really don't want to spoil it for anyone!

Radcliffe is surprisingly good in this film, physically he looks different to Harry Potter which helps. However, I do think that he is slightly too young to play the role of a father, which I found quite difficult to believe. I do accept that that could be my own prejudices coming into play. But as a first feature film since the Harry Potter's, it's a very commendable effort and I hope that whoever is advising Radcliffe on future roles steers him to doing as wide a variety of roles as possible in order to shake off the Potter tag.

The supporting cast was very good, Hinds is as reliable as ever as the only sane person in the village and Janet McTeer was excellent as his troubled wife.

The film itself is interesting. I really enjoyed the basic story (although it is different from the original novel) and people who have a genuine affection for the book may not feel the same way. I should also point out that the ending is very different to that of the book and of the play. The film is beautifully shot and director used the space and bleakness to superb and chilling effect.

But it is not that scary... There are lots of moments of tension which are brilliantly done, a few jumpy scenes, but that was the extent of it. I have heard of people having issues sleeping after seeing this film which is an overreaction in my opinion.

Verdict: A good solid effort from Radcliffe, in a well-acted and well-directed film, but just not scary enough for me.