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The suicide of her twin sister, Sofie, haunts Megan (Elisabeth Harnois) who feels guilty that she had not detected warning signs and even reprimanded the former for her strange behavior. To pack the things of her sister in their summer house in Louisiana, she decides to push through the annual visit there together with her friends, Christian (Shawn Ashmore), Zoe (Amanda Seyfried), Mark (Matt O’Leary) and Alicia (Hilarie Burton). They meet and befriend Nick (Tyler Hoechlin) the young storekeeper and anthropology student who teaches them how to communicate with the dead and that the best time to do this is in a solstice when the sun is at its highest, a time when our world and the other world is allegedly closest.. They also encounter an eccentric, old neighbor Leonard (R. Lee Ermey) whose granddaughter who used to stay with him disappeared mysteriously. When Megan experiences weird incidents in the summer home, she feels that Sofie is trying to send her a message. Her determination to unlock the mystery of her sister’s death will lead to shocking secrets that will finally come to light in a solstice moment.
Louisiana’s lake and marshy inlets, particularly at night, lend a spooky setting to the story. The music and the sound department creditably create and heighten suspense. The summer outing of the group lasts only for three days but flashbacks enable the viewers to know past events and their bearing to some characters. The film is more textured than a Nancy Drew mystery since it introduces the presence of a spirit, communication with the spirit world, and has a surprise ending. The female lead, Megan, is portrayed as incredibly brave and daring who can intrude into a weird neighbor’s house and miraculously escape. The film adopts overused images and sounds intended to horrify, like the imprint of a bloody hand on the window, blood flowing from the faucet, slamming of a door, a trail of blood on the floor and strange voices.
Although casual sex, dialogues and sexual innuendos in the film may be acceptable to the western culture, it is not the exposure we would like for our young people. While praying for our departed ones is encouraged, calling on the spirits as a game or an experiment could be a dangerous exercise. But there are many lessons that one could learn from Solstice. It warns those who are easily distracted, like those who use their cell phones while driving, or those who drive under the influence of alcohol, how these indulgences can lead to serious accidents. It also reminds us to be more caring and supportive of family members who need our attention and help. We should acknowledge our failures or mistakes and be responsible for the consequences of our actions. There are no secrets that remain hidden forever. Unless confessed and atoned for, feelings of guilt for a wrong done could harm persons psychologically and lead to their destruction. We need good friends to make us whole and bring us closer to the truth.
(Date Reviewed: 27 March 2008)
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