Visitation DVD: Review By kaismith

In Antioch bizarre miracles are happening thanks to a drifter who goes by the name Brandon Nichols (Edward Furlong). Ex-minister Travis Jordan (Martin Donovan) renounced God when his wife was brutally murdered and has been jaded ever since. Jordan is determined to figure out of if Nichols is a prophet, a scam artist or maybe something worse.

The Visitation stars Edward Furlong a favorite of mine from American History X (he played Danny Vinyard). Only I've noticed that he manages to take on the same type of complicated, dark and disturbed roles. While he was great in American History X, he doesn't quit make it as Nichols. His acting was okay (a little too much melodrama) no doubt but I wish he would pick different roles that can demonstrate his range more. Maybe the dark roles are reflective of his personal life which seemed to be making more new than his onscreen work.

I liked Jordan's character and had no doubts in believing his reluctant hero performance. He had depth and as the audience follows him through the film they are really kept guessing about what is going on until the end, which I really appreciated. I also was intrigued by the three mysterious figures dressed in black from head to toe. Their presence through out the film creates an uneasy feeling. The audience knows that something terrible is going to occur.

This film could have gone terribly wrong with this religious overtone but the plot seems balanced and there isn't an air of preachiness. What confused me was the forbidden room everyone seemed to keep wandering into where Nichols gripped barb wire and hung over a wooden altar. It is not fully explained what he does in there or why he does it, but it is obvious that its connected to his brutal death.

There are no special features.

1:33:1 Full Screen and 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Edition. Since it does deal with a scary subject matter darkness is key in this as well as dark hues. Even when it is day light, the clothing each characters wear for the most part is all dark hued. The look over all establishes a serious yet spooky overtone.

5.1 Dolby Surround with English and Spanish subtitles. I wasn't even really aware of the soundtrack as I watched. I was so caught up in the plot which was great because that meant all of the film's elements were functioning as one. The music is very eerie and does a fantastic job capturing the spookiness of many scenes and keeping you on your toes.

Inside a pupil is a fire with a burning cross in the center. The skin is a red hue. On the back are scene selections and a pick up truck stopped before the three mysterious figures in the film just to the left is the plot synopsis.

I didn't expect much from this thriller but was surprised when I was captured by the mystery. If you are into psychological thrillers dealing with religion, this is certainly one to check out.