The Hearse is a supernatural/occult-themed horror film that helped usher in a great decade. Unfortunately, in comparing it to legendary titles like The Omen and The Exorcist, it falls short and doesn't leave a lasting impression - here's why:
The premise involves a young woman, Jane, who is fresh out of a divorce and decides to move to a summer home that she inherited from her aunt. Unfortunately, her deceased relative was known as a witchcraft practitioner and frowned upon by the local townsfolk. In addition, her stay is plagued by visions of a black hearse and the mysterious driver who commands it. Who is this unknown figure? Is she able to trust the local residents?
The trailer for this film looked so wonderful - I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. Sadly, the end result of this endeavor was a disappointing one...there's nothing to be excited about and the plot is unenthralling to say the least. To the best of my knowledge the actors and actresses in this piece are/were fairly unknown, and while that's relatively unimportant to me, their performances didn't win me over. The pace is so sluggish you'll feel like you're wading through mud...chest-high...with a custom- made suit made out of tide boxes. I could say it's unbelievable how slow and boring they've executed the theme but perhaps you haven't had the privilege of watching a film like Evilspeak - probably the SLOWEST paced film I've ever seen.
Interestingly enough, fans have argued that the role of the telephone repair man in the beginning of the film be credited to Dennis Quaid, although substantial evidence and proper accreditation is difficult to present. If it really was him, yes it was awful, and yes it really was his acting debut. I think it's safe to say that The Hearse was not responsible for kick starting his career into superstardom...maybe just a short conversational piece he'd tell someone while waiting in line at Wal-Mart.
So...would I recommend that you watch it? No, I don't. There are far better occult-based supernatural horror movies that exist in both the past and present. The Hearse had potential...but can't the same be said for most movies that flop? The only rightful place you'd witness this film would be in the hands of an enthusiast - which is why I watched it. Good thing I'll take the bullet willingly so my readers will know what to avoid...and it won't be a hearse.
The Hearse is a supernatural/occult-themed horror film that helped usher in a great decade. Unfortunately, in comparing it to legendary titles like The Omen and The Exorcist, it falls short and doesn't leave a lasting impression - here's why:
