Sunday, July 29, 2007

June 2006 – Film Review - The King

© June 2006 - Film Review - The King By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

A film by James Marsh, Starring Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt, Running time: 105m When Malerie looks at Elvis and says “We are all going to hell” she wasn’t kidding.

The creep factor is high in The King. It is creepy not in a horror movie vein, but in an adult societal taboo way. Watching this movie will make you squeamish and certainly uncomfortable as the plotline dives into a dark pit, which is hard for the lead character Elvis (Gael García Bernal) to crawl out of. You are left wondering if all the carnage and destruction was planned or happenstance. Those subtleties can be credited to a stellar cast, Bernal in particular. With just a look, he can convey emotions so deep you are taken on a roller coaster ride. One minute he is sweet and disarming, the next an unrepentant monster.

Plotline: Bastard son travels to Texas to find the father (William Hurt) he has never met. He discovers his father is a Baptist minister with his own family and wants nothing to do with his past sin, at least initially. Along the way he develops feelings for his half sister and the descent begins.This movie is quiet and dreamlike and stays with you long after you have seen it. It’s also a stark look at Christianity and how far one will or should go with forgiveness.

Overall it’s a terrific movie that delves into the personal lives of each character, illuminating their true spirit and dark inner zones.

Beware: abrupt ending.

Published on juicystuff.ca

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