Stir of Echos is the intermediary between The Sixth Sense and What Lies Beneath: not only chronologically but in terms of evolution (or degradation) also.
Its visual attractiveness is interesting. The film succeeds in transporting us into the action, just like we were present, especially during the scenes of hypnosis. The computer generated special effects are obvious but not to the point of ruining the authenticity of the film or to distract our attention. They are properly used.
Without Kevin Bacon, this film would be nothing. He is the typical simple, sane male at the start which renders his madness even more significant later on. This film sometimes follows in the footsteps of The Shining but it features a totally new husband and irresponsible father. He plays the role usually destined to women, the main character victim of hallucinations that people think is crazy and this simple detail gives the film a totally new direction.
The film’s defects are the same as those we attribute to the genre: development bifurcations, smoke and mirrors and too few memorable moments. The worst remains without a doubt its apogee. While terror should reach is summit during the last 15 minutes, the film comes down to an explanation that passes very close to conspiracy and that has nothing mystical. The seconds that follow seem to have been inserted with the sole objective of putting a smile to the face of simpletons who will go out and spread the word to the next spectators.
Stir of Echoes still deserves a special mention for having subtly mixed alcohol, drugs and sex to its story. Small details of the like are often forgotten or badly represented in films even though they help give the characters a human dimension. It also helps us sympathize with the characters throughout the film and allows us to turn away.
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