First, let it be said that this field is superior to 90% of what emanates fr. Hollywood these days. It is literate, with intelligent, thoughtful characters. Cinematography of the Maine coast is gorgeous.
However, the plot of this film which takes a terribly tragic direction could have been warmly emotional & far more engaging. If you haven't yet seen the movie, pls. stop reading here.
After the son's death, the parent's could have developed a supportive relationship w. Marisa Tomei's character & her two sons. After all, I feel that Marisa Tomei & the son's (her lover's) character are far more engaging & hopeful than Spacek & Wilkinson's as the parents. Instead, the parents take an astringent & unforgiving direction, making the film excruciatingly spare. Neither provides us anything, by the film's conclusion, which allows us to sympathize w. them. And their decisions at the film's ending (to kill their son's murderer) are so extreme & bizarre as to be off putting. I found them both to be uninvolving characters ultimately making the film uninvolving as well.
After reading the NY Times rave review I really wanted (& expected) to like this film. But I really did not like it at all.
However, the plot of this film which takes a terribly tragic direction could have been warmly emotional & far more engaging. If you haven't yet seen the movie, pls. stop reading here.
After the son's death, the parent's could have developed a supportive relationship w. Marisa Tomei's character & her two sons. After all, I feel that Marisa Tomei & the son's (her lover's) character are far more engaging & hopeful than Spacek & Wilkinson's as the parents. Instead, the parents take an astringent & unforgiving direction, making the film excruciatingly spare. Neither provides us anything, by the film's conclusion, which allows us to sympathize w. them. And their decisions at the film's ending (to kill their son's murderer) are so extreme & bizarre as to be off putting. I found them both to be uninvolving characters ultimately making the film uninvolving as well.
After reading the NY Times rave review I really wanted (& expected) to like this film. But I really did not like it at all.