Purgatory House (2004) User Reviews

Actually not bad

[cmptrjnie · 7/10 · 1 December 2014]

I had to watch this movie a second time to really appreciate it. The first time I watched it I admit that I did drift and not pay attention and would have to go back a bit to catch up. Once I saw the movie to its entirety I realized that there was quite a bit I missed.

Yes it did have some awkward dialog like between Silver and Celeste and between some of the kids in Purgatory House. The teenage awkwardness was cute between Silver and Atticus and their conversations did seem relevant to teenagers.

A few things that did bother me were the final scene when Silver and Atticus wake up...so was this like a coma state and if so what about Silvers funeral and the guidance counselor that came to the school. Also...what was the deal with the kid with the gun? Why didn't he show up in Purgatory house? All in all I found it not blockbuster entertaining, but entertaining along the lines of Thirteen with cheaper sets.

I would like to see Celeste's career expand to more than just this one film. Also...Rhiannon (Celeste) looked like she could play a silent screen star or a blonde Myrna Loy (or along that line of actresses).

Poorly delivered lines and unintentional ambient noise prevent Purgatory House from being too heavenly or too hellish.

[jettie-2 · 7/10 · 6 March 2007]

Purgatory House looks the kind of typical film that shows a "very unique" view of life, death, religion, and love, but it actually does! And though it is burdened by poorly delivered lines and unintentional ambient noise, a few well-constructed elements really pull it all together into a surprisingly pleasant film.

Silver Strand is a young teen who overdoses and dies, and since she has committed suicide, she's stuck in purgatory for all eternity. She is trapped there forever with other teens who "expressed themselves with drugs, alcohol, self mutilation, sex, suicide." There are no lessons to be learned there, no great acts to do, It's almost like a psychiatric hospital mixed with a group-home.

The story jumps back and forth to show clips of Silver's life on earth and her death in purgatory. She talks with the other teenagers there and they all share their views of God, religion, and their individual destinies.

Purgatory House takes a confusing concept and brings it to life, mixing a serious tone with a few laughs. For example, Silver waked up while in purgatory and the first words she mumble are, "Why did I set my alarm clock for 5 AM when I was alive?" Much to the viewer's dismay, other lines throughout the film are said with either too much acting behind them or too little. Some of the actors seem completely invested in the film, while others put on performances overshadowed by even Disney Channel Original Movies.

Some of the actors are experienced, but most are working on their first big project, so there are high in hopes and low in talents. Only two of the actors have worked on other produced features before: Jim Hanks (Baby Geniuses... and we all know how amazing that was), and Johnny Pacar (Now You See It..., Flight 29 Down) 14-year-old Celeste Davis wrote this screenplay and appears to be the youngest screenwriter with his or her own produced film. She was in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program when she met Cindy Baer who directed and produced the film for her.

Though created by amateurs, the film has a very complete feel. Different techniques with the camera, editing, and computer graphics bring a sense of experimentation to the film that most films are too afraid to do.

The music in Purgatory House is probably the best I've heard in a movie in a long while. Each song that is played correlates with the scene it's played in and makes a nice atmosphere. Many of the musicians gave the rights to use their music free of charge because they fell in love with the story behind the movie.

The film-makers try to keep it silent at times, but it doesn't work 99% of the times they try it. If they had invested in a wind-sock, maybe the film would have a less home-made vibe to it.

Movies like these are hard to come by. On the one hand, they're very good and you want to show them to all your friends. They have a certain wit and style that you really don't find elsewhere. They have a unique way of looking at some important topics and presenting them in an interesting and engaging way.

On the other hand, movies like this suck because it wasn't funded very well. If the budget had been higher for this movie, the end result would have looked and sounded a little more polished and purposeful. There were some instances when the viewer had to wonder if the camcorder was really for "effect", or if it was just the only camera they had at hand (pun intended). The film-makers could have also hired some skilled actors, instead of just friends, so that the script got its money's worth. The writing is very good in it, it only deserves a good cast.

The experimentation, music, message, and camera techniques are all so good in Purgatory House. It's just a shame that some of the details were sketchy.

The tag-line, "written by a fourteen-year-old girl" is more of a disclaimer.

[dreamsxenocide · 2/10 · 4 April 2007]

Honestly, this movie is the reason teenagers don't make movies. The message, which, though undefined, is loosely construed as "Don't kill yourself" rings hollow, and, as a teenager, the complete lack of realism and depth to the characters makes it utterly unwatchable.

I think it is wonderful that a young writer got her break, but it falls short of being anything meaningful or even well-written. The acting is dreadful, but not quite as dreadful as the stale, unrealistic dialog.

The only saving point in this movie is Jim Hanks, but even his bright acting and excellent delivery can't save this sinking ship of a film.

The real question? How does a movie that reads like a public service announcement written by well, a fourteen-year-old girl, win seven independent film awards?

I can't believe I wasted precious minutes of my life on this "movie".

[dequace · 2/10 · 3 July 2007]

I'm always interested in seeing teenage angsty movies like this one, since I went through that rather melodramatic period when I was that age. Usually, I'm not disappointed. However, this particular film was horrible. Perhaps the idea was to make it "artsy", but it just turned out bad. The quality of filming is awful, even for a film that tries to use jittery, "chaotic" filming. I could have made a film of the same grade with my digital camera and a couple of lamps. Of course, the special effects were horrifically bad. The acting was absolutely ATROCIOUS, especially the main character. Regardless of her "talent" to write and direct this movie, she was horrible. She had zero acting skill, horrible timing, and the inability to properly deliver lines. The supporting cast was almost as nauseating, with large gaps between lines and huge pauses in the middles of sentences that couldn't even be disguised as "dramatic effect". The music was weak. It was as though the people in charge of music had done a Google search for lyrics corresponding to the topic of the scene. There were several good songs, but often, I found myself getting utterly distracted from the film because of the songs. Not to say it was hard to get distracted. I was literally bored to tears in some parts. The idea is interesting, however, the style it is written in is very amateur, which makes it obvious that it was made by an inexperienced playwright. The lines lack strength and emotion- they sound like bad poetry out of a B-grade emo teen magazine. In theory, a somewhat clever idea for a movie, however, it failed painfully in execution. As someone who is only a number of years outside of the age shown in this movie, I have to honestly say that watching this movie MADE me want to go do drugs and then kill myself. So what kind of message is that supposed to convey? The ONLY reason that I'm giving this movie a 2 is because the scene where the main character died had the potential to be interesting. That's it. And, of course, the ending was horrible and nauseatingly predictable. I won't even bother spoiling it for you- just read the back of the case and I'm sure you can accurately guess what happens.

Don't waste your time, unless you're a masochist. But even then, don't expect your type to be portrayed artfully. So it would probably be an insult either way.

Worst Movie EVER

[silverdragonblood · 1/10 · 18 January 2007]

One star is being nice. This movie is amazingly awful. This girl clearly has no idea what she's talking about. Her name is "Silver" for heaven's sake, it's CLEARLY written by a 14 year old who is angry about the world and is trying to change it with her terrible writing and acting. Listening to her speak was physically painful. The contrast between her and actual actors just made it all the more difficult to bear.

It's written by someone with no life experience in drugs and suicide. She just reads about it. The only reason it gets good reviews is because she's 14 and adults think that this is actually real life for teenagers. She's INCREDIBLY self righteous. If she actually knew anything about drugs it might be a better movie. I mean, really put a group of messed up, drug addicted, horny teenagers together and you're more likely to get an orgy house than a therapy center.

The actors need to learn stage combat.

The graphics were emotionally traumatizing. I mean, the fairy girl? And heaven? Some of the VERY few good points: soundtrack was awesome, and the idea is mildly cool, particularly since god was a drag queen. But she just didn't pull it off.

Every moment was ridiculously predictable. I'm actually dumber for having watched this movie. I can't believe it won as many awards as it did. The only reason we finished watching it was because it was like watching a train wreck; terrible, but you can't look away. How did something like this get made?

A wonderfully crafted piece of film

[charmsmaster · 10/10 · 12 February 2007]

Do you have Scotoma? Most people would say that they do not, most probably have no idea what it is. Scotoma is seeing what your mind wants you to see, it's your eyes creating blind spots. Most people see the world and think that there is nothing wrong with it. Ignorance is bliss....or so they say. The truth is, ignorance isn't bliss, it's anything but. Let me ask you, do you see the troubles of the world and the people involved in them? What if one of those people was your child? Would you continue to have a blind eye towards them or would you try to help them out as much as you could?

Purgatory House is a wonderfully crafted (and at times, wonderfully resplendent) piece of film that expresses the true horrors that plague teenagers in this day and age. Dealing with drug addictions, alcohol problems, school shootings, and plain ignorance from everyone around them, Purgatory House brings these problems to the forefront of life to expose them to adults and teens alike in the hope of helping people understand that this is a real problem.

Dodging all of these troublesome issues, Purgatory House is a chronicle of the life of Celeste Davis, a troubled young teen who used writing as an outlet to escape the sorrows of everyday life. Literally turning her world upside-down, she expounds a script that is among the best of them. Getting out of her world through her writing, Celeste has created an extraordinary way of helping out those who need it most.

Celeste stars as Silver Strand, a troubled teen whose life is caught up in drugs. Having been abandoned by her father as well as her friends, Silver turns to the only person that will listen to her - her boyfriend Sam (played by the outstanding Johnny Pacar). Unfortunately, Sam is also a drug addict who has a habit of staying "high" all day long, and who persuades Silver to turn to drugs as well. Unable to cope with her life, Silver decides to commit suicide which in turn leads to her ultimate damnation. God (played hilariously by Jim Hanks in drag) won't accept her (or love her unconditionally), as she took her own life, so Silver is sent to a place worse than any you could imagine - Purgatory House. Forever doomed to live her life as she did on Earth over and over again, Silver encounters many young people like herself, stuck in this house for all eternity.

Atticus (played by Devin Witt) is one of the many teens stuck in Purgatory House, and is the person to whom Silver bonds to most. Atticus, a teen whose rather interesting death landed him in Purgatory House, in turn bonds to Silver. Together, the two form a type of mystical, almost spiritual, bond that has the power to do the impossible. With the help of the other teens stuck in Purgatory House, they pull their spiritual power in order to escape their hell, in the hopes of going home.

Cindy Baer, the feature's director/producer, has done a spectacular job in her debut. She captures the essence of the script in such a way that you truly understand the problems that the characters go through, even if you haven't experienced these problems yourself. She is obviously someone full of talent who will make her definitive mark upon the film industry.

Remember that you were once a teenager. This could have been you. Luckily, it didn't happen to me, but it has happened to people I know. Be aware of this problem. Make others aware of it, and with lots of persistence, maybe we'll be able to turn the world around for the other people who suffer from this. As the old adage says, "Hope springs eternal".

Ugh.....Please stop with the depressed teen movies.

[denim_dolly24 · 3/10 · 17 June 2007]

I don't do the long summary thing. Sufficed to say this movie bored me to tears. As a teenage girl who fits fairly well into the scene Silver is part of, I'm simply annoyed.

The whole movie seems like exactly what it is. A melodramatic uninformed cry for attention written by a 14 year old outsider looking into a world she wondered about but never really got into. Silvers a brat, the 'goth kid' is so stereotypical its actually funny and scene where they show her classmates and they're "relations to suicide" just seems like the writer is trying to hard to make the story relevant.

I'd like to make a guess that the people who thought it was "brilliant" and "moving" are all people over say 30 or 40?

Brilliant, moving and powerful

[tampafilmfan · 10/10 · 9 April 2007]

I recently saw Purgatory House at the Gasparilla Film Festival. This film is brilliant, incredible, moving, powerful and breathtaking. A 14-year-old girl wrote this story about a 14-year old who committed suicide and ends up in Purgatory House, a sort of dorm for teens who've killed themselves. They have to wear the same clothes they had on when they died, can do all the drugs they want (who cares?), and have to attend "school" where they watch Earth TV to keep track of the people they left behind.

There were several funny parts (God is a drag queen who isn't really all that kind and loving, who makes the recently deceased compete in a game show to determine if they go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory). In addition to being funny, Purgatory House is deeply profound. Parents should show this film to their children and movie lovers should show it to their friends.

shameful

[adinsanitum · 1/10 · 24 September 2008]

This movie is awful. The premise is inherently flawed, the plot goes nowhere, the characters are one dimensional stereotypes, the acting is bland, and the dialog is poorly written. The entire film reeks of faux artistry, from the main character's name to the oh so very deep soliloquies the protagonist gives every few minutes to the horrendous camera work. I found myself watching just to see how much worse it could get and that is the only aspect of the film that did not disappoint.

If someone commits suicide they do not go to purgatory to atone for their sins, they go straight to hell.

Not good for anyone older that 14.

[Hanasanai665 · 1/10 · 8 September 2007]

This movie was awful. I see no reason for it to have been made into a movie, it should have stayed a short story. The fact that it was written by a 13 year old was blazingly obvious. It's not particularly insightful, though I will agree that it does mirror the over-dramatic mindset of a 14 year old quite well. It's a shame I didn't see it when I was 14, because maybe then it wouldn't have made me gag. Not only was the story bad, but the use of lower quality cameras made it feel like a student film. It's only redeeming quality is that I didn't shut it off half way through because I was curious to see what kind of random plot twist was next. (Why was God a drag queen??)

Terrible acting, terrible writing, all around TERRIBLE MOVIE.

[Canary-Asylum · 1/10 · 28 January 2007]

This movie is ridiculously awful. I watched over half of it before I felt that I'd rather be pulling my own teeth out with a pair of rusted pliers than watch another second of little Miss Celeste Davis' terrifying acting.

Her writing was terrible, even for 14 year old. Miss Davis wrote about subjects she didn't comprehend or experience first hand. This child attempted to be an adult and ended up making the worst movie I've ever seen.

In closing, Celeste Davis may one day be a decent writer or even an actor I can tolerate.

In about 10 years. Maybe. If she's really lucky.

why is this movie receiving so much credit

[russoda · 1/10 · 6 August 2007]

It truly boggles my mind how people can watch this movie and then sing its praises. This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Taking this movie from a message stand point I believe that the message is a good one and I am not here to knock anyone who is fighting to reduce teen suicide because I think that is definitely a problem in today's society. But these comments are suppose to be rating the movie not the message that the movie is attempting to convey. Therefore if you are to truly look at the acting and other aspects of the film you can see that they are not worth the 6.4 rating that you are giving them. I think that this movie is not really worth seeing and if your looking for a movie to send this message to your children, I think that your better off looking for a different film.

A great 'teenage' fantasy/story.

[videojohn · 10/10 · 29 March 2004]

This film was great. Talks about the trials of teenagers today. Really well done & written by a 14 yr. girl, who stars in it @ age 16.

Lot's of neat F/X computer graphics.

Although several "time shifts" are presented it all shows well looking at the picture in total.

A 'must see' for all young girls and should be shown in all Jr.High Schools throughout the USA.

Check it out today!!!!

Wow, most likely the worst film I've ever seen

[tkdmeli · 1/10 · 14 January 2008]

This was a miserable attempt at a movie, it was obvious that the writer never experienced any of things she tried to talk about. I mean i watched when i was around 14 and i think i could have written something better. First of all the character name were ridiculous Silver Strand? seriously you could have come up with something better than that. Also the acting was painful, I've seen better stuff in a class project. The cinematography looked like something i saw in a middle school project.The effects were really bad,and the changing to black and white made it worse. The main character takes the cake in the bad department, i mean her voice was annoying,acting was bad, and the monologue were so unrealistic. In conclusion, if you see this movie at your video store and you become tempted to watch it because you like the cover don't let me save you 3 dollars or whatever it cost.

This is a must watch !!!

[jdougil · 10/10 · 19 January 2007]

I was not sure about this movie at first, but after learning more about the writer and star of the movie I was very pleased. The overall felling of the movie was more like a play then a movie, and I think that is a good thing.

The director of the movie did an outstanding job. The move flowed with ease from scene to scene. And I can't wait to see more from this young woman.

The 14 year old star and writer of this movie was GREAT!! Her acting was far better then many so called established stars at twice her age. And considering this was here first role, she has a great future!

I hope many have the chance to see this movie, the ideas set forth in it are profound and complex.

Might be good if your a troubled teenager

[cdahl-2 · 4/10 · 18 March 2008]

I don't know, this movie was pretty out there, and not in a good way. Don't get me wrong pretty good for a fourteen year old, but thats the trouble I feel is that it was just a little to juvenile. Creative, but just not professional One, the movie takes way to long to get going. Two, the idea of a purgatory house is interesting but just not developed enough. Three, it took so long for the movie to get going like I said earlier, but you basically now where the movie is headed the whole time anyways if knew anything about the film before you started watching. Lastly, I may have enjoyed this movie if I was younger or something but this one isn't for me. I would have given it a 1 but since I am not the targeted audience, and it is a 14 year old's work I give it a 4.

Worst movie I have ever seen to date.

[crazykittieboy · 1/10 · 3 November 2013]

I have watched a lot of movies in my days on this earth, but I have never quite stumbled upon a film so "critically acclaimed" that was absolutely horrible in every single way. The acting is almost the first thing to notice, which is never cringe worthy but seems to be at a perpetually wooden state. The characters seem not to breathe or feel whether alive or in "Purgatory House".

The non-existent budget could be seen as a reason to look past this, but even movies with very small budgets (Primer, for example) are made to look like Last Tango in Paris in comparison. Acting aside, lets get to the 'plot'. It was clear here is where the "made by a 14 year old" is meant to put things into comparison. You are supposed to look at the subject matter and say "wow, for a fourteen year old, this is very good!" The problem with this is that even for a 14 year old it is trite and absolutely ridiculous.

I acknowledge that to be 14 is a remarkably tough time for anyone, but it all too often feels like taboo topics are thrown into the mix just to somehow try to relate with other teenagers. It all feels shoddy at best and at worst a joke. We can't just accept rubbish because it was written by teenagers. "The Shadow Thief" was written by a thirteen year old, and was absolutely awesome by all standards. "Thirteen" another movie screenplay written by a very young teen, hits everything this movie tries to and does it in a way that makes this film look even worse. This film reminds me of a crossbreed between Thirteen and Wristcutters: A Love Story, filled with trash and absolute rubbish.

This being said, there are hints that the writer might be able to develop later on in life. The God being a transsexual was an immediate highlight, and whoever did the soundtrack did a passable job. To be fair, most first time screenplay's usually get pitched. This was the result of a father who couldn't tell his daughter that it sucked, but keep writing. The only people who could possibly rate this film good are fathers and mothers who have a hard time telling a kid they can do wrong and sucker themselves into believing only pure art comes from children, suburban teenage girls who have absolutely perfect lives and have never experimented with drugs who feel like this girl gets it (newsflash, she doesn't), and finally film snobs who are so high on their horse they can't tell the difference between the artistic vision of David Lynch and the films who try desperately to recapture edgy teenage drama that has been done to death in far superior ways for decades. 1 out of 10.

dude..it was freaking great

[ceegee_siren · 9/10 · 7 October 2004]

I must say, this is the best movie i've seen since American Beauty. I saw this movie at Waterfront Film Festival in saugatuck, Michegan, and loved it. the fact that it was written by someone MY age, just opened my eyes in a lot of ways. i can't wait until this movie comes out on DVD, it will definitely be part of my collection. I loved the way she portrayed God, as a dragqueen, and how she didn't lie about the s**t kids go through, its not all that fantasy for kids to shoot up in their high school bathroom. It is on my favorite list, (which also includes American Beauty, The Hours, Requium for a dream, Kids, you know..syco drug movies.) well thats my thoughts, go see it, its wonderful

This movie is excellent! You have to see it now!

[iloveac_001 · 10/10 · 12 July 2005]

I received the DVD today and i watched it and most of the special features. OH MY GOD!!!! I cant believe how fantastic this movie is!! Celeste is truly a gifted writer and actress, i cant believe she never acted before this she was so great. You have no idea how much this movie has touched my heart. In the last couple of months in my life i have been through a lot and seen my friends go through a lot, not to do with drugs really but to do with family and friends dying, getting hurt and getting sick. I have felt like killing myself a lot of the time and so have many people i know. If everyone at high schools around the world watched this movie then maybe they would think twice about killing themselves or ignoring other peoples pain. Through a lot of this movie i cried because i remembered that a 14 year old girl wrote this and felt this pain. A lot of people go through this pain everyday and we don't even realize it but this movie makes you realize and pay attention. This story is utterly true to life and i will never forget it.

A movie written by and starring a 14 year old girl.

[demondudekrcal · 10/10 · 14 April 2007]

It's very rare that I find a movie that is so amazing that i instantly fall in love with it. It was a thought provoking intense joyride of a film. If you haven't seen it yet i suggest you do! The topics covered in this film are very deep for someone of 14, I know that when I was 14 i wasn't thinking about things like suicide and drugs I knew of them and knew what they were bur I didn't think of them enough to write an entire script based around those concepts. Celeste Davis' acting was phenomenal usually in independent films the acting is sub-par but every aspect of this movie was amazing. At times it was funny sometimes it was sad but you'll enjoy every part of it. i really liked the way that Celeste interpreted God, being an agnostic myself I am always open to others' ideas of God. Not only was God imaged as a woman but a very bright and masculine drag queen... and seeing this for the first time might come as a...surprise? but in the best way possible.

Worthy Film...

[cyclone259 · 8/10 · 18 June 2007]

I received this movie in the mail through Blockbuster and for the life of me, my wife and I don't ever remember ordering it. We decided to give it a try anyway and I have to be honest, at first I was bored to tears. The production values were so-so and the acting was at best, sub par. Even with those criticisms I decided to stick it out and watch it until the end, mainly because something about it really caught my attention.

I'd been though a ton of really bad b-movies, mainly horror films, that I turned off about half of the way through because the dialog was abysmal and you could tell the actors were just going through the motions; Puratory House was different. Sure, these weren't seasoned actors and at times it dragged, but you could tell that Ms. Davis has her "stuff" together and her heart was in the project. Everyone involved put out an honest effort and for that I decided to put away all of my criticisms that I reserve for such treats as "A Brush With Death" and "The Messengers". I felt that the least I could do is watch with an open mind and give Ms. Davis the credit she deserved.

The story revolves around a somewhat atypical, angst-ridden teen, walking aimlessly through her empty life of drugs and partying. When she's decided that she's had enough of it and of herself, she decides that it's time to "end it all" with the hopes of something better on the other side. Well, instead what she finds is a drag queen version of God with a malice towards teens who take their own lives, either on purpose or by accident. Instead of going to the bright, sunny, butterfly-filled clouds of heaven, she ends up in a dismal cosmic halfway house full of misfits and other disenfranchised teens. There, everyday is the same, the same clothes, the same food, etc. and the counselor of sorts, St. James (deftly portrayed by Jim Hanks) who attempts to lead group discussions about their issues. While the monotony is painful, it doesn't compare to having to watch "EarthTV" everyday so you can look in on family and friends as they continue on without you. Even in the seemingly eternal dreariness of the halfway house, she's able reach out and find the joy she desperately craved for so long in her own dreams and along the way manages to show the others how to escape too.

The beauty of the story is how insightful the young and gifted author is to the human condition. Being a teen at the time she wrote the story, she's able to project the loneliness and desperation of her peers in a way that an older, adult author that's not connected so well with their own youthful transgressions could do as easily. I'm not saying that Celeste Davis is a genius, but she's as they say "wise beyond her years" and very gifted. The true sadness I felt was that her character, Silver Strand, was that it was based on her own life and problems. Ms. Davis is a beautiful person, both inside and out and my hope is that acting and story writing will continue to make the positive influences that it did through this project. With any luck we'll see more works from her.

An interesting look at life and death from a teen-age perspective.

[yurshta · 8/10 · 24 March 2007]

This film turned out to be better than I expected, and had its dark moments as well as some comedic. The Who Wants To Go To Heaven game show with God in semi drag, and whose name appears in every spot on the credits was rather novel. The basic philosophy is sort of a New-Age lite, Christian lite combo. But the basic thrust of the film, is not to present some credible philosophy about possible afterlives, but rather to zero in on the problems of teenagers. At one point in the film while the heroine Silver is writing, the Earth TV which allows residents of Purgatory House to view scenes taking place on Earth, shows footage of the Columbine massacre aftermath. This film, perhaps more than any other, provides a more plausible explanation for the whys and wherefores of school violence, teen suicide. The peer pressure, desire to be popular, the alienation, the nihilism, the prevalence of drugs, and parents who are often more screwed up than they are all contribute, but none alone is the answer. But this film does not play the blame game, as the responsibility for ones own life and destiny is put correctly where it belongs, on the individual him- or herself. The majority, if not all the residents of Purgatory house were teen suicides. The teen-age writer of this film really wanted to address the problems of teen suicide, drug addiction and school violence, and is probably correct in implying that methods used by schools, parents, and the government are simply not working, or working well enough. This is a good film, and I'll look forward to other films based on the work of this writer.

A powerful movie that deals with real issues.

[deborah-atkins656 · 10/10 · 14 April 2014]

This movie shows depth to its characters and deals with issues that affect a lonely teen who struggles for acceptance in the aferlife. The young writer and director have clearly a great empathy and insight into the non- glitzy and very real scenes that happens when life goes wrong. It won't be liked by everyone because. Pop culture it is not. It is written and will work for the right audience, whether they relate by age or connect with harsh life events. It does what it says it does and so ought to be applauded for that. There is one other thing to add: This movie can actually educate those who have enjoyed a more protected or cosseted existence. That is if it is given a chance of course. It actually needs to be watched and not as a light eye candy movie.

PH Spoke to Me

[soundtek · 10/10 · 10 February 2007]

It's a rare event when something speaks to me quite like Purgatory House (PH) did.

When I heard about PH about 3 years ago, I knew it was a film I had to see. I tried to get the local film festival to pick it up, but they didn't. :-( When this film finally came in the mail, I watched it. Then watched it again. What a masterpiece! I clapped and silently cheered for a long time (it was 3:00 AM when I finished watching).

Being fair, it is not as polished as a 100 million dollar Hollywood block buster (I never expected it to be), for an independent film, it's really well done.

Back to more important stuff:

PH is a film that is an honest portrait of one teens out look on life that struck incredibly close to home.

Being borderline suicidal, for most of my life, I can relate to wanting to OD on drugs, or running in front of moving vehicles to end it all. I've never 'Fit In'. Life, to me, has not worth been living. Death never scares me any more (it would be a relief), the thought of having to continue day, after day, after day, after day does. It's the scary thought that when I die I could remain ME!

Steven Curtis Chapman asked "Where is the hope?" From what the film and special features show and say: Ms. Davis and Ms. Baer found theirs.

Paul Simon in the 'Sounds of Silence' talked about people who 'talk with out speaking', and 'hearing without listening'. Are we paying attention to the Ms. Davis' message?

As the movie asks: "Can you see me?"

Purgatory House is a must see film!

[daveguilla · 10/10 · 2 July 2005]

There are two reasons to see Purgatory House. The first is to experience the very touching story that Celeste has written. The second is to see how finely crafted of a film Cindy put together.

Another great accomplishment is the fact that it was shot on DV. Any aspiring independent filmmaker should purchase the DVD for the behind-the-scenes and making-of special features.

I can't think of anything wrong with this movie. The writing, casting, directing, acting, editing, audio, music selection, post FX, and everything else are all very well done.

You can tell that everyone involved with Purgatory House was very dedicated to it. Bravo to Cindy & Celeste, and to the rest of the cast & crew!