"The Haunting of Amelia" and Second Chances: A Movie Review

Full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by MTI Home Video.

*Here be some spoilers.

Director/writer: A. D. Calvo.

"The Haunting of Amelia" is a mysterious beast of a film, which was released on DVD December 28th. Initially called "The Other Side of the Tracks," MTI Home Video has recently distributed this first feature film from director A.D. Calvo ("Nine Lives") and the film's music and story constantly intrigues. Why is the lead character Josh (Brendan Fehr) so quiet? And who is Rusty's (Chad Lindberg), initially off-screen, partner? "The Haunting of Amelia" is constantly drawing interest, while slowly developing the story. This first outing from Calvo takes on spiritual elements such as the afterlife and physical topics like grief. Meanwhile, the director tells a haunting tale, not of horror, but of love.

The film's plot develops in a unique fashion, with actor Fehr ("Bones") displaying a heartbroken and withdrawn young man. The source of his distress has come from a fatal car accident involving a speeding train. His girlfriend, Amelia, played by Tania Raymonde ("Lost"), has succumbed to the disaster. In many ways Josh has also died this day. Ten years on and Josh lives in a decrepit, old house alone and without hope. Fehr's performance is serious and curious, much like Calvo's writing.

Very little of the central character's motivations are revealed and there is a tension between Josh and a re-appearing Amelia. However, the underlining, secreted issues only begin to be sourced out in the second half of the film. Movie critic Rick L. Blalock also notices the slow pacing in the first half of the film with: "'The Haunting of Amelia' does suffer from rather slow pacing at times,... which it uses to establish itself" (Terror). Aside from the pacing, few creators show enough respect for their characters. Filmmaker Calvo shows that characters in film, much like those in life, are complex and vulnerable.

The gentle love story between Josh and a ghost-like Amelia is the crux of the feature. Amelia, like Josh, has not moved on from her first love and she shows herself to him through spiritual apparitions. She beckons for him to return to another life, which does not involve a stagnant existence working at the local greasy spoon. Josh's former high school friend Rusty is forever trying to break-up their disturbing reunion; for what reason?

Fans of mystery will need to view the film for themselves to find out all the answers. Horror fans looking for scares and chills will likely be disappointed. Deep characterizations, solid writing, and a mysterious angle will, however, develop an audience for this film. "The Haunting of Amelia" creates enough thrills to keep at least one viewer watching.

Already released on DVD as of December 28th, Calvo's first feature film is a carefully drawn out thriller deserving attention. Lacking any violence, nudity, or graphic language, this is a film that could be enjoyed by a family, while entertaining the different members in varying ways. Romance for some, bonding of lifelong friends for others, and a deep, spiritual message for all are only a few of the film elements that make "The Haunting of Amelia" re-watchable and enjoyable.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10.