El Laberinto del Fauno, or the Labyrinth of the Faun, literally translated into English, is the latest cinematic effort by Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro. The American Title is Pan’s Labyrinth to avoid confusion between faun and fawn.  (I guess they didn’t give us Americans much credit — which may be deserved.) Todd took me to see it on Friday for my once a year movie outing — a standing birthday present of sorts.

A glowing review by A.O. Scott in the New York Times in December had put the movie on my radar screen, but I wondered whether (what I thought would be) an obscure, foreign language film would make it to the large screen in Indianapolis. Recognition by the Academy with 6 Oscar nominations has all of a sudden made Pan’s Labyrinth a must see and it is now showing at the Keystone Arts Cinema.

Terry Gross of NPR’s Fresh Air conducted an interview with the writer and director, Guillermo Del Toro last week. If all the wonderful press about the film wasn’t enough to make me sit up and take notice, listening to this intelligent and engaging man talk about the influences that guided his cinematic vision made it imperative that I see this film with the full sensory impact of a large theatre screen. The film’s story takes place in post WWII Spain. In the Fresh Air interview, Del Toro explains some of the context of the film’s setting, such as why the Spanish insurgents were battling Franco’s Military, and how the politics of World War II affected the outcome of the internal Spanish civil conflict. Knowing this information previous to viewing the movie is not essential, but it is helpful in understanding the complexities of the storyline and the motivations of many of the characters. It is also interesting to see the directors vision come to life after you know some of his background, such as the influence of a radically devout catholic grandmother or the effect of the kidnapping of a family member.

The film, not surprisingly, is very dark and ominous. There is never a moment when the tensions subsides. The imagery slides effortlessly, like a Salvador Dali painting in motion, from the world without to the worlds within, as we follow our young protagonist. The music, which received a best original score nomination, is restrained and haunting, like all aspects of the movie. In fact, so well crafted is the package, that not one facet of the production stands out as being superior, save perhaps the special effects characters which were simultaneously gruesome and comforting.

I was surprised that Todd consented to see a foreign language film, and I think he only acquiesced because I wanted to see it so badly. However, like I, he agreed that it was a superb motion picture after we watched it.  Afterward we enjoyed debating the symbolism and allegory over a late dinner and brew at the Ram Brewpub (…Hmmm…Ram Brewpub?  spooky!)

Pan’s Labyrinth is not for everyone.  As we were leaving the crowded theatre, I overheard one woman comment that it was the worst movie she had ever seen.  But I mostly heard murmurs of approval as folks quietly began to process the experience (which I am still mentally doing.) There’s plenty to mull over and I am looking forward to discussing it with others who have seen it.  So if you want a neat and tidy, happily-ever-after movie, go see Dreamgirls.  But if you are looking for something more thought provoking, that breaks from the standard Hollywood feel-good formula, this film is a worthwhile and entertaining diversion from the ordinary.