Session 9

Horrorphile

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Session 9

July 27th 2010 23:18

Director Brad Anderson’s impressive debut feature, Session 9 (2001) deals with the slow-burn wrath of insanity, the pickled psyche ruined by the error of one’s ways, aggravated by circumstance and surroundings … and possessed by something beyond the realm of the natural. Session 9 is a chamber piece superbly acted and directed and shot on an expertly realised low-budget. Anderson would go on to direct another impressively disturbing portrait of madness and despair, The Machinist (2004) starring Christian Bale. Although Session 9 doesn’t have the slick look of the follow-up feature, it’s drenched in an assured command of atmosphere and dread, enough for a half dozen features.

David Caruso as Phil

Danvers State Insane Asylum, Massachusetts. Phil (David Caruso) and Gordon (Peter Mullan) take on the job of asbestos removal from the mental hospital, a massive building which has been closed since the mid-80s. They recruit three others to help; Mike (Stephen Gevedon), Hank (Josh Lucas) and young Jeff (Brendon Sexton III). If they get it down in a week they each get a $10,000 bonus. Game on.

Peter Mullan as Gordon

Stephen Gevedon as Mike

During lunch break on the first day Mike spills the beans on the building’s closure: a demonic possession and sex-abuse scandal which involved a patient by the name of Mary Hobbes. This story places a quiet shroud of dread over the group. Further complications arise with Gordon’s preoccupation with his wife and baby; a breakdown in the marriage and Phil’s concern over Hank’s liability (and resentment that Hank stole his girlfriend). It doesn’t help that Mike discovers the taped doctor’s interviews with Mary Hobbes, and having done law school he can’t help his fascination, so secretly starts making notes. Meanwhile Hank uncovers a hidden stash of valuable old coins stashed in a crumbling wall and sneaks back after dark to loot. Instead he’s confronted by something else.

Josh Lucas as Hank

The extraordinary location – the Danvers asylum – and the fact that the demonic possession is inspired by the true case of the nearby Amirault family, which dealt with Satanism and sexual shenanigans, enhances the movie’s atmosphere and authenticity ten-fold. Brad Anderson’s consummate handling of the visual narrative (he edited the movie as well), and the solid performances of his actors, particularly Peter Mullan and Stephen Gevedon, but also, surprisingly, David Caruso (in the most likeable role of his career). But big props must go to the sublimely creepy score by the Climax Golden Twins (and a special mention to the inclusion of the Lou Barlow track over the end credits), a truly magickal addition to the movie’s mood and tone.

Brendan Sexton III as Jeff

A sub-plot involving a homeless woman squatting within the building was jettisoned during the movie’s final cut and there are references to this that linger in the movie, such as curious point of view shots. Her character was to become more and more apparent and her involvement culminated in her killing Gordon at movie’s end; however test audiences confused her to be the spectre of Mary Hobbes so Anderson cut her out entirely. And good riddance, I say.

As Mike listens to the recorded tapes of the doctor (the austere voice of Lonnie Farmer) and Mary (Jurian Hughes), the voices of Mary’s alter-egos begin to bewitch the building. There’s young Princess and there’s young Billy. Something terrible happened several decades earlier; a horrific incident, an act of bloodthirsty revenge over a prank gone wrong. But there’s someone else involved: Simon. Simon doesn’t make himself known until Mike reaches the tape marked “Session 9” … Simon hides within the weak and wounded.

Anderson shot Session 9 on the new technology of the time; Sony’s 24P HD video, which shoots at 24-frames-per-second, like film (as opposed to the 30-fps of conventional US NTSC video). This enabled Anderson’s cinematographer Uta Briesewitz to effectively capture the movie with available light, bringing the movie’s darkness to light (so to speak). The helicopter shots that reveal the full spread of the enormous Victorian-style building, including its peculiar bat-like east and west wings sprouting off on either side adds that final touch of the truly ominous.

Session 9 is a genuinely creepy and psychologically disturbing tale of madness and murder, highly recommended for those who like their tales of the unhinged uncompromising, yet still swathed with a strong element of the mysterious, and who dig a little ocular lobotomy horror.

Here's the trailer:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

9 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by David O'Connell

July 28th 2010 00:27

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Great work Bryn, been wanting to see this one ever since The Machinist was released. Glad to hear it lives up to its reputation.

Comment by JohnDoe

July 28th 2010 01:55

Film & TV on DVD

Sometimes I'm in awe of your reviewing prowess Bryn, this is one of those occasions.

I saw this film on DVD when it was first released and found it creepy. Your review means I will revisit it shortly and probably try to write my own thoughts, but it will be tough to top this one.

Also as I said before....."David Caruso, who knew"?

Comment by Bryn

July 28th 2010 06:27

Horrorphile

Cheers guys, praise from you two always means a lot to me.

Comment by Spring-Heeled Jack

July 29th 2010 14:01

Over.Exposure

I've been trying to track this down during the past fortnight without success. Any idea what the distribution is like in Australia? Has it even had a formal release?

Comment by Bryn

July 30th 2010 01:10

Horrorphile

Jack, I rented my copy from Dr. What in Bondi Junction, Sydney. I'm pretty sure it was a Region 4 release.

Comment by JohnDoe

July 30th 2010 14:34

Film & TV on DVD

It was released on Region 4 DVD around 2002. Shouldn't be to hard to find. When i worked at JB Hi Fi it was one of those under $10 jobs.

Comment by Someone

August 1st 2010 02:18

Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business

I remember being impressed by this one way back when, and more than a little creeped out. Great movie

Comment by katiekate93

August 1st 2010 21:32

Thanks for reviewing this! As a Massachusetts resident, I've seen this movie numerous times and thoroughly loved it, both for the location and the "twist' ending. Its awesome that the film makers were able to immortalize one of our vanishing Kirkbride hospitals on film and with a story that truly does it justice.

FYI to any of your readers who may make it out this way - Danvers State Hospital is still standing....now known as the Avalon Danvers condo complex