Saw THE SKELETON KEY this am....

Billed as an "old-time" type thriller, we see Kate Hudson playing a caregiver 
originally from New Jersey, who goes to work for a man who is unable to speak 
due to a stroke (John Hurt) and his controlling wife (Gena Rowlands) in their 
home in the swamps outside New Orleans.  She finds that old Southern Voodoo 
ways are still alive and well in 2005.  

Directed by Iain Softley (Hackers) winds slowly into the suspense and mystery 
of this story.  While the pace in the beginning - particularly the first 45 
minutes - pretty much drags in many spots, it does serve to give the viewer a 
sense of both the pace of the old south and jars them when the action of the 
film really heats up in the latter part of the film.

The acting is really first rate here.  Hurt is excellent as the stroke 
victim, and it shows what a great actor he is, as he is only able to act with his 
eyes through most of the film.  I think he only has 4 lines in the whole film.  

Rowlands is wonderful as always as the strong willed and surprisingly able 
bodied wife.  It is always a pleasure to see her in anything, as she 
consistently gives a great performance.

Kate Hudson is surprisingly good as the caregiver. While I like Hudson, she 
does tend to portray ditzy likable characters and there is not a hint of that 
here.

Peter Sarsgaard, whom we love, is great as the family's lawyer.  He is one 
of those people when you see that he is in the film, you know something 
interesting is going to happen.  Just look at Flightplan.

I don't know that they quite hit the tension of those great old time, Alfred 
Hitchcock type thrillers, but there are a lot of jump in your seat kind of 
moments.  Not a great film but for sure worth a look.  

I need to get me a Siskel and Ebert type rating system, so if anyone has any 
suggestions....I am open....

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