Orphan (2009)

Director:

Jaume Collet-Serra

Writers (WGA):

David Johnson (screenplay)
Alex Mace (story)

Release Date:

24 July 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Can you keep a secret?

Plot:

A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she claims to be.

Plot Keywords:

Mental Hospital | Hospital | Estonia | Sex | Rear Entry Sex

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Vera Farmiga	...	Kate Coleman
Peter Sarsgaard	...	John Coleman
Isabelle Fuhrman	...	Esther
CCH Pounder	...	Sister Abigail
Jimmy Bennett	...	Daniel
Margo Martindale	...	Dr. Browning
Karel Roden	...	Dr. Varava
Aryana Engineer	...	Max Coleman
Rosemary Dunsmore	...	Grandma Barbara
Jamie Young	...	Brenda
Lorry Ayers	...	Joyce
Brendan Wall	...	Detective
Genelle Williams	...	Sister Judith
Mustafa Abdelkarim	...	Daniel's Friends
Landon Norris	...	Daniel's Friends

Also Known As:

Esther (France)
L'orpheline (Canada: French title)
Orphan - Das Waisenkind (Germany)
The Orphan (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for disturbing violent content, some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA | Canada | Germany | France

Language:

English | American Sign Language | Estonian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45301) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | UK:15 | South Korea:18 | Ireland:18 (original rating) | Singapore:M18 | South Africa:16 | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Ireland:16 (re-rating on appeal) | Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA | New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-15 | Hong Kong:III | Taiwan:R-12 | Hungary:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Japan:R15+ | Norway:15 | Mexico:B15 | Peru:14 | Argentina:16 | Germany:16 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Centennial College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The movie was originally written to take place during the fall, and some exterior shots were filmed to establish this. Shortly before principal photography was set to begin in December 2007, the Toronto locations were hit with near-record snowfall, forcing the change of setting to winter. One of the scenes written out as a result was a Halloween carnival at Daniel and Esther's school.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Kate is shopping in the grocery store with Esther and Max , Sister Abigail calls Kate on her cell phone. as Kate is pushing the cart they come upon 12-packs of 7-Up, but in the next shot they change to 2-liter bottles of 7-Up without them even pushing the cart forward.

Quotes:

[first lines]
John Coleman: Hang on. I know. You're doin' so good. You're doin' so good, honey. You all right?
Kate Coleman: Yeah.

Movie Connections:

References The Ring Two (2005)

Soundtrack:

The Glory of Love

9 stars because I can not give it 8.5!

Anyone expecting a horror film will most likely give this a 5 star rating or below. All others will be thoroughly entertained. Orphan is an INTENSE drama... full of surprises and a bit of suspense.. would have been more suspenseful for me if I had not gathered story details beforehand. Even knowing the score, I give it high marks as its execution is brilliant. The acting is flawless on all parts and I would not at all be surprised if this one picked up an award or three. Finally! Some character development! Finally! A story! Even with the darker bits of the script omitted from the film, this was a good thrill-ride. Think DRAMA and you will be pleased. There's something wrong with Esther... Haha, an understatement to say the least. Great tagline!