The Guardian
1990
The Cast
When Phil (Brown) and Kate (Lowell) fall pregnant after buying a new house they decide to hire a nanny for when the baby is born. Unfortunately, their first choice is killed by a hit and run driver while she's on a bike ride. Though, luckily for them, the agency send round a replacement. Camilla (Seagrove) is a stunning English nanny who is only too happy to look after baby Jake... any time... all the time... As time goes by Phil starts to feel as though there's something out of place with Camilla, who isn't above using her sexuality to get her way... This, in turn, turns Kate's investigation mode on, only to learn some dark and chilling, hard to believe, truths about their son's guardian...
I've never been a great fan of Friedkin's work, though I have to admit he has a magnificent eye for composition and iconic shots (the only thing which kept me awake through the yawn-fest that was The Exorcist - oh controversial). In this film, he has extended his eye for composition into entire scene's and employed some effective lighting techniques, especially in the night time forest sequences. This actually brings it out of the horror genre and into dark fantasy, which seems to fit the story and direction much better. There is a lack of tension, suspense, and fear which are required to make a good horror film. Even the gruesome effects are shot in such a way that they aren't exactly horrific or fear-inducing. They are good and well done. though Friedkin opts to quickly snap between the gore shots. He even adds strange angles to them, which adds more to the fantasy genre and detracts from the horror.
This is a tale of old mythologies and tells of evil tree spirits who like nothing better than to eat the souls of newborns. This could easily have been another run of the mill horror flick of the time but it is something more. I just wish that Camilla's drive and reasoning behind her actions had been explained more. This could only have made her character stronger and darker. However, Seagrove adds a nice sensuality and slyness to her... if this woman were an animal she would be the snake that tempted Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast is pretty average, especially the two lead characters, who are verging on two-dimensional stereotypicalness. Even Miguel Ferrer, who I've always rated as a "one-to-watch" actor, appears underused and a tad flat. Only Brad Hall as Ned Runcie comes across as a more rounded character. This may be because his character has lots to do in the story; he's built the house they live in; he becomes their friend; he has a romantic interest in Camilla; he's the first to realise there's something not-quite-right with Camilla. This gives him more depth and scope than the rest of the characters in the story.
The special effects are still viable today, the killings of the gang members, though filmed in a strange manner, is well done and looks realistic - given the circumstances. Even the tree bark images and figures are chilling to see and reasonably lifelike, adding to the strength of the fantasy elements.
This doesn't work as a horror, though, if you're a fantasy fan and you prefer them with a darker edge then this will probably be up your street. It's at least worth one viewing... but I'd wait until you've not got anything interesting to watch.
I give this Naughty Killer Nymphette a Sacrificial 6.25 out of 10.
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