Review - The Haunting in Connecticut

The Haunting in Connecticut really had me excited . . .

. . . mostly because I live in CT and know where this supposedly took place but also because I had seen the original A Haunting episode where they profiled this case.
However, once I started watching the film I found myself thoroughly disappointed. There I said it . . . most of the time I will try to be more positive about films but this one pretty much stunk to high heaven. I thought with Virginia Madsen playing the Mom and Elias Koteas playing the reverend there was at least a chance for this one but alas, I left the theatre wanting that 100 minutes of my life back.
And it is too bad too because at one point in the film when the reverend is talking about why he and young Matt Campell (Kyle Gallner) – who are both suffering from cancer and are near death – can see these ghosts there was a glimmer of hope for me. I mean I really liked where they might have been going with the story but then they went back to relying on cheap tricks and very implausible plot lines that just completely missed the mark – at least for me.
I feel like if the movie had taken itself more seriously and continued with the Reverend Popescu character being more involved it would have been infinitely better. He was really the only character I felt semi-connected to. Honestly, I didn’t even care for Matt all that much . . . I actually found myself wishing that he would be written off by the cancer and we would see more of Popescu. I know that is horrible to say . . .
So my recommendation would be if you absolutely have to see The Haunting in Connecticut don’t bother renting or buying the film just wait till it comes out on TV or better yet just watch the episode of A Haunting and call it a day.

Directed by
Peter Cornwell

Writing credits
(WGA)
Adam Simon (written by) &
Tim Metcalfe (written by)

Cast (in credits order)
Virginia Madsen ... Sara Campbell
Kyle Gallner ... Matt Campbell
Elias Koteas ... Reverend Popescu
Amanda Crew ... Wendy
Martin Donovan ... Peter Campbell
Sophi Knight ... Mary Campbell
Ty Wood ... Billy Campbell
Erik J. Berg ... Jonah
John Bluethner ... Ramsey Aickman
D.W. Brown ... Dr. Brooks
John B. Lowe ... Mr. Sinclair
Adriana O'Neil ... Chemo Nurse
Will Woytowich ... Cop
James Durham ... Matt's Cell Mate
Darren Ross ... Paramedic #1
Sarah Constible ... Paramedic #2
Nicholas Podbrey ... 1920's Hero Engraved Corpse
Blake Taylor ... 1920's Seance #1
Keith James ... 1920's Seance #2
Kelly Wolfman ... 1920's Seance #3
Jessica Burleson ... 1920's Seance #4
Matt Kippen ... Strung Out Guy

rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeny Cassady ... 1920's Hero Engraved Corpse #2 (uncredited)