Poltergeist (1982)

	Directed by: Tobe Hooper	COUNTRY USA GENRE Supernatural horror NORWEGIAN TITLE Poltergeist RUNNING TIME 114 minutes
	Produced by: Steven Spielberg Frank Marshall
	Written by: Steven Spielberg Michael Grais Mark Victor

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Steve Freeling	Craig T. Nelson	½
Diane Freeling	JoBeth Williams
Dr. Lesh	Beatrice Straight
Robbie Freeling	Oliver Robins	½
Carol Anne Freeling	Heather O'Rourke
Dana Freeling	Dominique Dunne	-
Ben Tuthill	Michael McManus	-
Mrs. Tuthill	Virginia Kiser	-
Dr. Marty Casey	Martin Casella	-
Dr. Ryan Mitchell	Richard Lawson	-

Review

With almost half a century of hindsight, Poltergeist is much closer to being the all-American family drama than a truly seminal supernatural horror film. In its first part, director Tobe Hooper's vivid lens captures the zest of 1980s family life with wonderful flair, and Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams make these two suburban parents more fully fleshed-out than we've seen in most films. When the supernatural elements kick in just before the halfway mark, the film alas becomes mostly a gimmicky show-off. It's all so slickly made and visually impressive, especially considering its year of production, that you can understand why contemporary audiences and critics alike were pulled in (so to speak). And yet, the pull is one of superficiality; of smoke and mirrors. The filmmakers view the story's thematic substance as grown-ups view Santa Claus – with no real conviction. We're supposed to be in awe of the cinematic trickery, not the supernatural phenomena themselves. This ruins any true horror effect the film could have had, unless, of course, you are at Carol Anne's age yourself. There are fine, sometimes impressive, performances across the spectrum, but particularly by Williams and little Heather O'Rourke. The musical score, by Jerry Goldsmith, is too enamoured with itself.