The Orphan is a tale of a couple Kate Coleman (Vera Farmiga) and John Coleman (Peter Sarsgaard) adopting nine year old Esther (Isabella Furhman) from an orphanage after losing their new-born. Esther proved not to be an ordinary child as she unfolds her true personality in a spiral of events that will change the Coleman’s lives forever. It is a feverish contrast between good and evil and the contrast between darkness and light is representative of the presence of good and evil in the film.
The film itself is based largely on the use of contrast to bring across the theme of the presence of and the struggle between good and evil. The use of darkness as opposed to light, black and white shots as well as clothing of the characters, sound effects; loud and soft in the film is used to illustrate such contrast. The director’s use of mainly medium shots where the upper half of the characters’ body are photographed was especially effective in the counseling scene and adoption proceedings since delicate, important information is usually conveyed while being seated and these shots allowed for the effective dramatizing of the scenes where the facial expressions can be seen whether they be good ones or disappointments. The director also made use of some extreme close up especially in times of terror. This brings the fear which should accompany a horror movie to its viewers.
The story begins with Esther sitting alone in a classroom painting. The day is well lit and the bright light is representative of a new beginning and prospective for hope for both Esther who will be moving into a new home and the Coleman’s who will be accepting a new ‘blessing’ into their home. Esther the reserved, mature child as she was dubbed by the teacher, commented on her being different. Even that message was conveyed with deception and using contrasting expression. Esther speaks of her difference referring to being evil but does so with a smile which is characteristic of happiness which is a characteristic of good. Esther was even clad in black and white, contrasting colours suggesting an outer evil to the inner good she is pretending to possess. The director uses a good blend of black and white background in the official greeting of Esther and the Coleman’s.
Esther took a turn toward evil as she was ridiculed on her first day at school. She soon shed he angelic cover completely and was a full blown demonic character but not escaping the suspicions of her mother. The suspicions rose when Kate received a call from an Orphanage Esther was believed to have lived. The Orphanage has no record of Esther ever being there and Kate became even more convinced that something was wrong. As Kate’s Suspicion rose so did Esther’s regarding her mother’s love for her, compared to that of her mother’s biological children.
In the scene where Esther appears in her sister’s room Esther was shot in white clothes in pitch black light. This is a metaphor for her dark evil character which engulfs her and the presence of the good she imitates. The use a of loud crashing sound accompanied by lightning in this scene was used for dramatic effect but is also symbolic of Esther in both ways. The thunder drives fear by its sound and is thought to be dangerous but comes in such form unlike the lightning which is believe to be the relief of thunder due to the association of light with good but is even more dangerous than the thunder. Similarly, Esther initially appears to be an angelic, mature child but in the same way the lightning proves a silent killer so too is Esther equally dangerous.
The themes of the film can somewhat the compared to the film A Good Son which takes away for from the originality of the movie. However, if one is in for a well thought out plot with witty twists that will keep its audience head-locked to the screens then the Orphan is a good pick. Its characters are well developed and every inch of trauma has been diverted from character to viewers. Esther made smooth transitions from good to evil and likewise all other characters made for an interesting film.
