Some other comments tear this film apart completely. I just felt like someone (else) ought to do justice to some of the good sides.
First, I was amazed after finishing watching "Ligeia" at it only being a little less than 90 minutes long -- felt more like an hour 45-50 to me! Now, don't think of the reason for that being a boring plot. The original story is by Edgar Allen Poe. More like the director really didn't waste any time dragging out the story at all. I believe, though, it would help if the sequence of events wasn't quite as rushed. More precisely, if in places there had been more room for emotion and human appearance of the characters. The parts of Ligeia and Rowena, the female antagonist and protagonist, were very well acted and a terrific choice of actresses. Michael Madson is also convincing doing his usual thing. For some reason, Wes Bentley comes across as very stiff and it's hard to read what's even going through his character's mind most of the time.
But one thing I do believe really worked out great is the atmosphere. From the way the names in the opening cast turn into curls of smoke to the coloring (or reduction thereof) and lighting to the beautiful shots of the locations and sky ...
I guess what's showing is just that it's the director's first serious movie. But the movie is worth watching, especially if you like the genre and an Edgar Allen Poe story drenched in a somewhat Gothic atmosphere with two truly talented and beautiful lead actresses.
First, I was amazed after finishing watching "Ligeia" at it only being a little less than 90 minutes long -- felt more like an hour 45-50 to me! Now, don't think of the reason for that being a boring plot. The original story is by Edgar Allen Poe. More like the director really didn't waste any time dragging out the story at all. I believe, though, it would help if the sequence of events wasn't quite as rushed. More precisely, if in places there had been more room for emotion and human appearance of the characters. The parts of Ligeia and Rowena, the female antagonist and protagonist, were very well acted and a terrific choice of actresses. Michael Madson is also convincing doing his usual thing. For some reason, Wes Bentley comes across as very stiff and it's hard to read what's even going through his character's mind most of the time.
But one thing I do believe really worked out great is the atmosphere. From the way the names in the opening cast turn into curls of smoke to the coloring (or reduction thereof) and lighting to the beautiful shots of the locations and sky ...
I guess what's showing is just that it's the director's first serious movie. But the movie is worth watching, especially if you like the genre and an Edgar Allen Poe story drenched in a somewhat Gothic atmosphere with two truly talented and beautiful lead actresses.