Laura Smiles
"Laura Smiles" is an alarmingly effective portrait of a woman's mental breakdown. We are introduced to "Laura" at her happiest time, in a warm, loving relationship with her fiancé (a very appealing Kip Pardue) in the city, literally the love of her life. In flashbacks, we then see the sweet development of this relationship out of order as these moments become brightly lit and colored memories that desperately intrude on her later in life, as she becomes consumed with guilt and remorse over his fate. These feelings start to overwhelm her current life as a wife and mother. As something inconsequential in what she calls her "suburban drudgery" triggers the past -- in the supermarket, cooking, cleaning, at a school play-- she acts out increasingly aberrantly to counteract the feelings they generate, especially when she can no longer distinguish past from present from dreams, recalling Blanche Du Bois.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, Sarah, moves into a new house with her boyfriend. Soon after moving in, Sarah begins to experience strange occurrences and unsettling visions, believing the house is haunted by a previous resident named Laura. As the disturbances escalate, Sarah tries to uncover the truth about Laura's past and the dark secrets hidden within the walls of her new home.
Critical Reception
Laura Smiles is a low-budget independent horror film that received a limited release and garnered minimal critical attention. It is generally considered a forgettable entry in the supernatural horror genre, often criticized for its predictable plot and uninspired execution.
What Reviewers Say
- A slow-paced and unoriginal horror film.
- Lacks significant scares or narrative depth.
- Fails to deliver on its premise.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for 'Laura Smiles' is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on a very low budget, contributing to its raw and unpolished aesthetic.
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