The Mesmerist (2002)
Based on an Edgar Allan Poe story, this film tells the grimly comic tale of a bad-tempered old man (Howard Hesseman) who cheats death, only to go on tormenting the living. When a medical experiment leaves the grouch hovering between life and death (and able to describe the world beyond), things get tricky for his daughter (Jessica Capshaw) and her beau (Neil Patrick Harris, of "Doogie Howser, M.D." fame), who can't get their hands on his estate.
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Reviews
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
The acting in this movie is really good.
I rented this and watched it today. I expected a decent movie, and that's what I got. It really was funny. The dark humor is very funny and I think anyone who likes dark comedies would like it. No, it's not as good as some dark comedies like Corpse Bride, but it's still an alright movie. There's not much to say about this movie. I've said all I can say now. It's funny, sort of stupid, and short. I like comedies like that. You know, the sweet and short kind? I don't want to watch a comedy if it's 3 hours long! This is short, but short to the point where you wish it could have been at least 10 minutes longer. It's not bad, it's not great, but it's a good, short, and funny movie. A rental.
I second the first feeling of puzzlement as somebody else wrote about this movie. Poe and... humour? It doesn't fit. Usually you watch movies based EAP's chilling writing and you don't dare to go to the bathroom afterwards. "The Mesmerist" though leaves you *running* for the bathroom because you have been laughing so hard. It is hilarious - and this is without doubt due to the incredibly well selected cast.There's poor Benjamin (Neill Patrick Harris) who never seems to be on top of the food chain, always complying with his girlfriend's wishes and fighting his own desires and temptations. Then we have Daisy (Jessica Capshaw) who is so believable as the frightened daughter - her performance is so wonderfully "over the top", a blast to watch. Of course, we mustn't forget lovely Consuela (Jo Champa) who manages to roll the "r" like approaching thunder adding to her intoxicating persona of the unusual maid. Last but not least, we're crying tears of laughter at the brilliant portrayal of Dr Pretory. Jason Carter delivers a stunning performance, taking the whole film into his hands the moment he crashes through the door, literally. I highly recommend watching this movie. Go see it... and be mesmerized.
I saw this at SxSW in 2002, not really expecting much humor since it was based on E.A. Poe's "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar." Luckily was I mistaken.Because Daisy's (Jessica Capshaw) father is dying, her and her fiance Benjamin (Neil Patrick Harris) make one last visit to his home before he goes to the great beyond. But her father (Howard Hesseman) isn't about to go without a fight. Using a half-mad mesmerist (Jason Carter) he is going to journey to the other side while still communicating with the living. This could have easily been a bad horror flick, but the characters are so dysfunctional that it leads to some outlandish British comedy style humor.