Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is an under-appreciated loan officer, overdue for promotion. To prove to her boss that she can make the tough choices, she refuses a loan extension for her next customer – an old gypsy woman called Sylvia Ganush (Lorna Raver).
Her forthright begging rebuffed, Mrs. Ganush deems Christine to have shamed her and so begins a vendetta that sees the loan officer placed under a dangerous curse. Unless Christine can break this hex in three days’ time, a malevolent spirit will – literally – drag her straight to hell.
Ghost House & Universal Pictures Present...A PG-13 Horror Film from Sam Raimi?
As usual, the marketing department played it’s part in over-hyping what was something of an occasion with Raimi’s new horror film and “genuinely terrifying” was one of the quotes included in international trailers. For anyone hoping Sam to return with something darker than your average fare, freed from the constraints of reaching mass audiences, this would only raise expectations. Even so, the film was certified PG-13, which no doubt raised a skeptical eyebrow of horror die-hards. Shock Til You Drop reported that two versions of the film were screen-tested with the PG-13 version selected for release over a not too disimilar R-rated variation. Could it be that Sam gave the censors an easy time or did Ghost House and Universal Pictures push for a lower rating?
Putting that aside, it’s clear before the film even starts that this has been signed, sealed and delivered by Raimi himself. The throwback title sequence, like the script, belongs to another era (with several sources confirming that Drag Me to Hell was written shortly after the third Evil Dead installment, way back in ‘92). Any lingering questions as to Raimi’s approach are blown away when, within the first few minutes, said angry spirit delivers a left/right/uppercut combination to an unsuspecting victim.
So, amidst the possibilities of what we’d get from a post-Spiderman Sam Raimi, the answer is and always has been blindingly obvious. We get Sam Raimi, doing what he does best – even if this ultimately fails to be one of them.
Drag Me to Hell Cast
Leading the cast is Alison Lohman (Beowulf 2007, Big Fish 2003), who walks into the part like she belongs. A dinner scene is a particular highlight and, given her performance, she could have a bright future in collaboration with Raimi. Or an even brighter one without him. Who knows? She’s joined by Justin Long (Live Free and Die Hard 2007, Jeepers Creepers I & II, 2001 & 2003) as boyfriend Clay Dalton, who is here to show us all what a morphing of Keanu Reeves and David Schwimmer would look like – with, to be fair, much more promise as an actor.
Then there’s tv star Lorna Raver, plus make-up to turn her into the not-so-decrepid and harmless Mrs. Ganush. Her exaggerated physical performance is right in line with Raimi’s vision and will leave more of a lasting impression that the spirit that later hounds Christine.
All in all, Raimi hasn’t taken many chances with his cast, who all fill their somewhat stereotypical roles comfortably. Other supporting roles are filled by David Paymer as Christine’s boss, Mr. Jacks; Reggie Lee as deceitful co-worker Stu Rubin; Dileep Rao as fortune teller Rham; and Adriana Barraza as spiritual medium San Dena.
The only real disapppointment in the casting is the surprising absense of Ted Raimi.
Drag Me to Hell Summary
On the positive side there’s Sam’s irrepressible self and his particular mix of camerawork gymnastics highlighted by moments of inspiration. His storytelling is always engrossing and entertaining and he admirably succeeds in turning a seemingly feeble old woman into an adversarial nightmare.
On the negative side is Sam’s compunction to overly rely on slapstick-horror, which renders the film no more “genuinely terrifying” than Army of Darkness (and the latter is far funnier, not least because of you-know-who) . The contemporary mix of low-tech goo and high-tech (rating friendly) CG doesn’t work for the film as well as plain old corn-syrup and the plot leaves something to be desired in terms of originality. There’s a somewhat predictable twist in store for anyone who knows that seemingly inane information introduced through the film is there for a reason.
In summary, younger audiences will get a huge kick out of the film and most seasoned horror buffs will be entertained. Nevertheless, it’s hard for this review to avoid showing some disappointment at the final result.
Okay, Raimi isn’t likely to drastically change his approach to script-writing and film-making. Why should he when it’s been so successful for him? But the fact that this isn’t so much something new as something taken off the shelf means that we don’t get an insight into the kind of horror flick Sam would write (or, in this case, co-write) today. With that said, this probably is the kind of script he would write today, so...
Enjoy the film and here’s hoping that Raimi’s next outing in horror is a full-on 18/R-rating. Sam might even find a part for Bruce Campbell.
And call it Evil Dead 4.
- Producers: Grant Curtis, Sam Raimi, Robert G. Tapert
- Director: Sam Raimi
- Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
- Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Dileep Rao
- Released: May 2009 by Universal Pictures
- Running Time: 100 mins approx
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