Description

Paperhouse 1988
1h 32min | Drama, Fantasy | 2 June 1989 (UK)

Storyline:

Anna is becoming lost in the loneliness of her own world when she discovers she can visit another, a house she has drawn herself and occupied by a young disabled boy. But as she discovers more of the links between her fantasy world and the mundane present, she is drawn only deeper into a dream turning into a nightmare.

User review:

Anna (Charlotte Burke), who is just on the verge of puberty, begins to have strange dreams which start affecting her in real life–especially involving a boy named Mark (Elliott Spiers) who she meets in her dreams.

Very unusual fantasy with some truly terrifying moments. Despite the fact that this is about a teenage girl and has a PG-13 rating, this is NOT for children. Also, if you hate fantasies stay far away. But if you’re game for something different this fits the bill.

Well directed by Bernard Rose with a just beautiful music score and a few nice, scary jolts. The only thing that prevents this from being a really great movie is Burke–she’s not a very good actress (it’s no surprise that this has been her only film) and it hurts the movie. However, everybody else is just great.

Spiers is very good as Mark; Glenne Headley (faking a British accent very well) is also very good as Anna’s mother and Ben Cross is both frightening and sympathetic as Anna’s father.

A sleeper hit when released in 1988, it’s since faded away. That’s too bad–it’s really very good.

Director: Bernard Rose
Writers: Catherine Storr (novel), Matthew Jacobs (screenplay)
Stars: Charlotte Burke, Jane Bertish, Samantha Cahill
Country: UK
Language: English
Release Date: 2 June 1989 (UK)
Filming Locations: Highgate Station, London, England, UK

6.8Rating: 6.8 / 10 from 4,843 users

A young girl lost in the loneliness and boredom of reality finds solace in an ill boy, whom she can visit in a surreal dream world that she drew in her school composition book.