The Haunted Mansion

Eddie Murphy, at last, has made a role for himself in films and movies that will most likely earn him a place in the history of cinema: Start with the raw and raunchy humor that made him a star on "Saturday Night Live", temper that with a sophistication undeniably natural, and mix in a maturity that is rare in comedians as actors nowadays. Murphy has brought forth a persona that is at once unique but known: The harried, married man who wants to do right by his wife but who, often, instead, takes her and the children on an adventure the cinematic equivalent of a Rube Goldberg contraption.

In "The Haunted Mansion" Murphy plays Jim Evers, a workaholic realtor who is determined to take his family on a weekend vacation, but gets easily distracted by a chance to showcase and hopefully sell a massive, vast, creaky old mansion. Of course his wife, Sara (Marsha Thomason), conveniently his business partner, complains he puts in too many hours at the office and tries to talk him out of this opportunity.

Because "The Haunted Mansion" is based on a Disney theme park ride one cannot and should not expect much from the story. But no matter. The art direction, the special effects, and the antics by Murphy himself are enough to save this movie from becoming slag for the pop culture junk heap.

I mentioned before Evers has children. They are Michael (Marc John Jefferies) and Megan (Aree Davis). Wonderful, the actors, Wonderful the characters they play.

But getting back to the story at hand: As noted, Evers and his family are invited to visit the Gracey Mansion, a rambling, forgotten structure straight from almost every Hammer horror flick ever produced, which is surrounded by a jungle of vegetation that could be a meat-eater.

Or not.

The visitors are welcomed by the butler, Ramsley (Terence Stamp), who plays the part perfectly: Gaunt, cadaverous, with a voice that could make James Earl Jones jealous. He then introduces them to the staff: Ezer (Wallace Shawn), and Emma (Dina Waters). There is also Madame Leota (JenniferTilly), whose disembodied head floats about in a crystal ball. But I leave you to find out more about her.

The lord of the manor is Master Gracey (Nathaniel Parker), who seems consumed with Mrs. Sara Evers. There are, of course, reasons for this. By way of flashbacks we come to learn Gracey was in love with a young woman who looked exactly like Sara. Unfortunately Gracey and the woman he loved were unable to marry, so they killed themselves.

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