I watched Candyman when I was twelve, I believe, and it was the first movie that I had ever seen that really scared me. I think people, even horror movie veterans can at least sympathize with that. It was many years before I was able to watch it again and at that point, I had become a horror movie veteran myself. While the effect had certainly lessened over time, I still found Candyman a disturbing, and wonderfully well-made horror movie; better than probably any I had seen in my education to that point. Actually, it probably still ranks in the top five to this day.

Before Bernard Rose directed Candyman, he made the brilliant Paperhouse, which I had the pleasure of seeing not very long ago. By that time, I had already used my experience with his second film to delve myself into Clive Barker's work, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was fair for me at the time to assume that Candyman's brilliance had more to do with Barker than it did Rose, and therefore I was not diligent in my seeking after his work. I now realize my mistake, as Rose has directed some of my favorite examples of cinema. Immortal Beloved was amazing, Chicago Joe and the Showgirl was uneven, but still a unique film that had a lasting effect. And Paperhouse, glorious Paperhouse will forever be stamped on to my own personal top ten list.

This is a film aimed at perhaps young adults, but is enjoyable to absolutely all. It is minimalist, and beautiful. Not only is not afraid to be fantastical (despite its minimalism), it is open in its celebration of it. I don't like movies like Secret Window and The Machinist that fall into the trap of “it was all in their heads.” To me, that is a cop-out, and ultimately unsatisfying. There is no explanation for what happens in Paperhouse (details which I refuse to spoil), and rightfully so. If certain members of the audience can not just accept it, then this picture is not for them. Suspend your disbelief, and allow for events to happen; if you don't allow yourself to be occasionally swept into unreality, then it's your loss, for you are missing something truly fantastic.

The cover of Paperhouse may have you believe that it is a horror movie. This is not true by any means. I understand the motivation to market it in such a way (there is one scene that is in an understated way, brilliantly frightening), for it seems as though there is no direct target audience, and parents would be livid if it was made out to be a family picture without warning. However, I would not only allow my child to watch Paperhouse, I would wholly encourage it. The intense scene is not a violent one, and I don't think that we should be overly protective of our children when it comes to being scared. It is a crucial part of their development as human beings. Everything turns out okay in Paperhouse, it has a lovely ending, and a permanent place in my memory. I can only imagine what it would be like watching it during my younger days.