Painfully beautiful .a simple story well told and impeccably acted .
32 Reviews
Beautiful
kathmummybear13 October 2019
Could have made it an 8
Buttercupsnroses23 January 2021
This is a solid, really well acted film that requires you to pay attention if you are to find out the whole story. I find myself looking up what others wrote about it, the day after I saw it, and it is really to the film's credit that I am still thinking about it the following day. I have read reviews (not all of them here) that have erroneous information in them, particularly the reviews that are not all that great. It doesn't spell everything out for you, so if you're texting or making popcorn while you're watching it, you are going to miss something. I really liked it, but I found it sad and mournful, and wanting there to be a happy ending for the characters in the end. I recommend it if you don't need constant action to hold your attention.
The deject atmosphere and an outstanding main actor save a below average story
kluseba22 February 2016
''Elephant Song'' is a rather unusual drama. Despite a rather predictable story, an unnecessarily twisted plot development and a few vapid side stories going nowhere with at best average actors and actresses, this movie is still recommendable and one of the better genre flicks of the past years.
This is due to two precise elements. First of all, the movie has a numbing, nostalgic and deject atmosphere that serves as intriguing guide line. The soundtrack, the settings and the most important characters all add to this. This movie has a soul and a universe that is perhaps a little bit antiquated but still emotionally intriguing.
The second and most important reason why this movie works so well is the outstanding acting performance by Xavier Dolan. He plays a fascinating character who tries to be so unpredictable that it becomes predictable, who pretends to be crazy and evil even though he knows that he is very sane and kind at heart and who ends up trying to be rational and honest even though he still is irrationally emotional and cleverly dishonest for one very precise reason. This character and this actor make an otherwise at best average or even slightly below average flick an above average psycho drama. Even though Xavier Dolan is essentially known as a young and promising French-Canadian director, I hope he will focus on his acting career as well since this is where he really shines.
If you are looking for an atmospheric and slow-paced psycho drama with a fascinating main character, this is one of the best films of its kind of the decade. If you are looking for a clever plot and a diversified film, you will though end up being disappointed. With a better script and a more skilled director, Xavier Dolan could be a realistic candidate for an Academy Award for Best Actor in the near future.
This is due to two precise elements. First of all, the movie has a numbing, nostalgic and deject atmosphere that serves as intriguing guide line. The soundtrack, the settings and the most important characters all add to this. This movie has a soul and a universe that is perhaps a little bit antiquated but still emotionally intriguing.
The second and most important reason why this movie works so well is the outstanding acting performance by Xavier Dolan. He plays a fascinating character who tries to be so unpredictable that it becomes predictable, who pretends to be crazy and evil even though he knows that he is very sane and kind at heart and who ends up trying to be rational and honest even though he still is irrationally emotional and cleverly dishonest for one very precise reason. This character and this actor make an otherwise at best average or even slightly below average flick an above average psycho drama. Even though Xavier Dolan is essentially known as a young and promising French-Canadian director, I hope he will focus on his acting career as well since this is where he really shines.
If you are looking for an atmospheric and slow-paced psycho drama with a fascinating main character, this is one of the best films of its kind of the decade. If you are looking for a clever plot and a diversified film, you will though end up being disappointed. With a better script and a more skilled director, Xavier Dolan could be a realistic candidate for an Academy Award for Best Actor in the near future.
For 3 chocolates........
wandernn1-81-6832743 June 2020
Elephant song is definitely a psychological thriller. It's really just about telling a story. It's not surprising that this movie didn't make any money. It's not a very appealing story. Some weirdo mental patient that likes to mess with his 'doctors'.
Trinity looks way different with hair.....
+1 Star For 2/3 of the way through, no major complaints, and the story is keeping me interested.....
+1 Star For the Climax of The Story and the Payoff of where it headed.
The ending was just about Perfect. A well told story with few flaws.
7/10
Trinity looks way different with hair.....
+1 Star For 2/3 of the way through, no major complaints, and the story is keeping me interested.....
+1 Star For the Climax of The Story and the Payoff of where it headed.
The ending was just about Perfect. A well told story with few flaws.
7/10
Silence of the Elephants
sol-7 July 2017
When a psychiatrist mysteriously disappears after a session with a mentally disturbed young man, a colleague is brought in to coax answers out of the youth, which leads to mind games, trickery and emotional manipulation in this Canadian thriller. The film starts off well with a great sense of mystery in terms of what happened to the psychiatrist and what the young man is like; he is built up like Hannibal Lector in 'The Silence of the Lambs': a character with whom one has to be careful when talking to. Xavier Dolan (yes, the director of 'I Killed My Mother' and 'Laurence Anyways'!) is superb as the mysterious youth, "just because I'm crazy doesn't mean I'm stupid", while Bruce Greenwood is also solid as the colleague. The film is let down though by a humdrum solution to the mystery and while there is a small emotional wallop as one realises why Dolan has been institutionalised at the end, the final act does not resonate half as much as the opening act. Greenwood's home life is left hazy too; his daughter possibly has Down Syndrome, and he is living with a woman who he calls 'aunt', but is she his sister? Nothing is clear, including why his home life is even included. At its best and most focused though, 'Elephant Song' is a riveting portrait of two very intelligent individuals trying to one-up each other in conversation and manipulation with real tension in the air.
interesting
fmwongmd18 October 2020
interesting performance from Dolan
SnoopyStyle25 December 2015
It's 1966. Psychiatrist Toby Green (Bruce Greenwood) talks to patient Michael Aleen (Xavier Dolan) who is supposed to have information on missing colleague Dr. Lawrence. Michael claims to be white elephant and keeps talking about elephants. He plays a cat-and-mouse game with Dr. Green and head nurse Susan Peterson (Catherine Keener). Green and Peterson used to be married until the lost of their daughter Rachel. Green faces a strained home life with Olivia (Carrie-Anne Moss) and autistic niece Amy. The head doctor interviews both Green and Peterson about Michael.
Xavier Dolan does an interesting job and Greenwood is good. The story needs a bit more meat. Toby's home life needs a little more clarification especially with Olivia and Amy. The mystery with Lawrence gets defused too early. After the security guard and police claim to have seen Lawrence, the tension to find him almost disappears completely. The story needs to pace out and create more twists and reveals.
Xavier Dolan does an interesting job and Greenwood is good. The story needs a bit more meat. Toby's home life needs a little more clarification especially with Olivia and Amy. The mystery with Lawrence gets defused too early. After the security guard and police claim to have seen Lawrence, the tension to find him almost disappears completely. The story needs to pace out and create more twists and reveals.
A challenging and intriguing film
Vindelander14 October 2019
Fine acting from a small cast. I think both Greenwood and Dolan put on Oscar winning performances but they've been overlooked.
It's a sad story and the interplay between psychiatrist and patient is mesmerising. Difficult to follow as I'm still unclear as to the exact relationship between Greenwood's character and the nurse. Some reviewers think that Carrie-Ann Moss plays Greenwood's wife but she's not. She's his sister and the little Down Syndrome girl is his niece.
An absolute must see if you're into psychological drama like me and I shall be looking out for Xavier Dolan's other films. He's a real star in the making.
It's a sad story and the interplay between psychiatrist and patient is mesmerising. Difficult to follow as I'm still unclear as to the exact relationship between Greenwood's character and the nurse. Some reviewers think that Carrie-Ann Moss plays Greenwood's wife but she's not. She's his sister and the little Down Syndrome girl is his niece.
An absolute must see if you're into psychological drama like me and I shall be looking out for Xavier Dolan's other films. He's a real star in the making.
Elephant Song
henry8-311 July 2021
When a Doctor disappears from a mental institution Dr Green (Bruce Greenwood) meets with Michael (Xavier Dolan) a patient who may know what happened. Michael is though highly manipulative and Green realises that he must negotiate with Michael if he is to solve the mystery.
Clearly demonstrates its theatrical roots with most of the film taken up with the interplay between doctor and patient in the missing Doctor's office. This is no bad thing and watching the 2 characters, played brilliantly by Greenwood and Dolan, try to outwit each other to get what they want, makes for an intelligent and ultimately moving experience.
Clearly demonstrates its theatrical roots with most of the film taken up with the interplay between doctor and patient in the missing Doctor's office. This is no bad thing and watching the 2 characters, played brilliantly by Greenwood and Dolan, try to outwit each other to get what they want, makes for an intelligent and ultimately moving experience.
Snotty patient harasses hospital staff with 2020 sensitbilites in a 1966 story
dale-516499 December 2020
The story is set in 1966, but you would never know it. A psychiatric hospital has a missing staff member , and a shrink is interviewing a patient who may have had something to do with it. The young patient is about as disrespectful as someone can be, and he provokes the physician into slapping him. The doctor promptly puts his tail between his legs and begs forgiveness . This patient is so sarcastic and condesending that the interview is worthless anyway , other than to see him torment the doc in a meaningless way. SURE ! In the 60s a doctor never would have gotten to that point, He would have shut the patient up long before he talked to him like he was dirt. But if he had slapped him he certainly wouldn't have apologized, in a time when corporal punishment was routine, and if it wasnt they didn't believe kids anyway .
They should have done it more MAD MAN style, where they portrayed people acting the way they did, before lawsuits, tabloids social media had adults pushed around by children and the lunatics running the nut house, literally. I couldn't take the snottiness of the patient any longer and the staff cow towing to him, so couldn't finish it. It's a sad state of movie making where they show the professionals afraid of the underaged , crazy patients, but it is the state of the world today, not 1966.
They should have done it more MAD MAN style, where they portrayed people acting the way they did, before lawsuits, tabloids social media had adults pushed around by children and the lunatics running the nut house, literally. I couldn't take the snottiness of the patient any longer and the staff cow towing to him, so couldn't finish it. It's a sad state of movie making where they show the professionals afraid of the underaged , crazy patients, but it is the state of the world today, not 1966.
Painfully beautiful
inessavalueva8 August 2016
If you haven't watched the trailer yet, don't. The trailer gives too much away and robs the viewer of the sense of constant discovery, and there is a trove of things to discover.
This is a story of an unloved soul looking for a way out of the somber world of his own feelings and thoughts, while carrying the burden of a beautiful mind. Being a theater piece at its inception, the movie ravishes with its dialogues and beautiful scenes. The lack of color is abundantly compensated by the vivid close-ups, the overall suspense and poignant flashbacks.
Michael (the mental patient being the centerpiece of the story) is lovable from the first seconds as a character and as an actor playing the character. Xavier Dolan has a way of wooing people, so it's very hard not to fall in love with his performance and his character by the end of the movie. He's brisk, accurate, hits the target with every line, and when he opens up in the end, the beauty of it is so tremendous it pierces your heart like a golden needle. The performances of the other actors are no less impressive, but Dolan is an inevitable scene-stealer.
Tragedy here is more of a liberation of sorts. The witty and at times funny story takes a sharp turn into the abyss of emotional pain. All the elements fall into place perfectly, creating a feeling that you've just watched a short.
Elephant Song is a masterpiece worthy of watching and rewatching, listening and relistening. It will leave no string untouched.
This is a story of an unloved soul looking for a way out of the somber world of his own feelings and thoughts, while carrying the burden of a beautiful mind. Being a theater piece at its inception, the movie ravishes with its dialogues and beautiful scenes. The lack of color is abundantly compensated by the vivid close-ups, the overall suspense and poignant flashbacks.
Michael (the mental patient being the centerpiece of the story) is lovable from the first seconds as a character and as an actor playing the character. Xavier Dolan has a way of wooing people, so it's very hard not to fall in love with his performance and his character by the end of the movie. He's brisk, accurate, hits the target with every line, and when he opens up in the end, the beauty of it is so tremendous it pierces your heart like a golden needle. The performances of the other actors are no less impressive, but Dolan is an inevitable scene-stealer.
Tragedy here is more of a liberation of sorts. The witty and at times funny story takes a sharp turn into the abyss of emotional pain. All the elements fall into place perfectly, creating a feeling that you've just watched a short.
Elephant Song is a masterpiece worthy of watching and rewatching, listening and relistening. It will leave no string untouched.
Admirable But Unconvincing
SwollenThumb21 May 2018
Worth a look on a slow night
troyboy68687 June 2015
Well, this was an interesting movie experience for me because I wasn't expecting anything . . . and ended up being impressed enough during viewing that I wanted it to be better than it was.
The acting was very good. Bruce was on display in his usual state of effortless excellence, he may be one of the most under-rated actors around (loved him in Flight). Carrie-Anne and Catherine were believable in their supporting roles and added depth to the movie.
Xavier is going to get all the attention but he came across as presentational during the first scenes, too much of a jerk during the early parts of the movie (which is easy to play). In my humble opinion, he could have dialed that back and been a bit more subtle in an Anthony Hopkins/Dr. Lecter kind of way and been much more creepy. Xavier did show some great acting chops toward the end of the movie when he became vulnerable (which is tough to play) and began to open up after dropping the "Mr. Sarcasm" persona.
I thought the ending was beautifully done and the music was perfect, good writing and directing makes this movie well worth a view. 5/10
The acting was very good. Bruce was on display in his usual state of effortless excellence, he may be one of the most under-rated actors around (loved him in Flight). Carrie-Anne and Catherine were believable in their supporting roles and added depth to the movie.
Xavier is going to get all the attention but he came across as presentational during the first scenes, too much of a jerk during the early parts of the movie (which is easy to play). In my humble opinion, he could have dialed that back and been a bit more subtle in an Anthony Hopkins/Dr. Lecter kind of way and been much more creepy. Xavier did show some great acting chops toward the end of the movie when he became vulnerable (which is tough to play) and began to open up after dropping the "Mr. Sarcasm" persona.
I thought the ending was beautifully done and the music was perfect, good writing and directing makes this movie well worth a view. 5/10
Quite Good
fil-nik0927 July 2015
The movie is interesting. The story keeps you guessing and the 'mystery' of missing doctor is good since the crazy man / boy is giving out the details, so you can never be sure whether it is true or not, or is he playing game.
I think that Xavier Dolan was really good at the role of mentally deranged Michael. The role suits him really good. Don't know why, but in some scenes I pictured him in some movies/series based on Marcel Proust's book. He would be perfect for one of the roles of Proust.
I did not really like the ending. It was ...hmmm ... too ordinary. And you see in the end that there was no mystery at all about the disappearance of the doctor. Also, the final scenes were kinda ...weak. But, all in all, quite good, except the last 3,4 minutes.
Eight from me.
I think that Xavier Dolan was really good at the role of mentally deranged Michael. The role suits him really good. Don't know why, but in some scenes I pictured him in some movies/series based on Marcel Proust's book. He would be perfect for one of the roles of Proust.
I did not really like the ending. It was ...hmmm ... too ordinary. And you see in the end that there was no mystery at all about the disappearance of the doctor. Also, the final scenes were kinda ...weak. But, all in all, quite good, except the last 3,4 minutes.
Eight from me.
Not inclined to love it like others have
pecan11119 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I just didn't see the appeal. The editing is messed up bec Greenwood only says once that Amy is his niece. U really have to listen hard for the dialogue and I never like that when I can't easily see the family relationships. I enjoyed Susan Keeners performance. Ultimately a suicidal young mans chosen exit is the end result of the rejection by his parents. Simply too odd and I wouldn't watch again
Xavier Dolan !!
cekadah8 November 2015
Xavier Dolan carries this movie start to finish. And the ending is what this story is all about!
Dolan as Michael Aleen is brilliant in creating this character that is so compelling and deceitful he fools Dr. Green and nurse Petersen and the viewer into thinking he has the information they are seeking on Dr. Lawrence. What Dr. Green and nurse Petersen and the viewer do not realize is that Michael has one goal on this Christmas eve and thanks to an oversight by Dr. Green, Michael achieves his goal. And that is when we learn why he is in this mental hospital because his presents there is never really clearly defined throughout this story.
What a film! Xavier Dolan deserves more credit for his acting and directing. He is an overlooked talent that hopefully will be a big name in the movie world. But unfortunately real talent seldom makes a splash in Hollywood.
Dolan as Michael Aleen is brilliant in creating this character that is so compelling and deceitful he fools Dr. Green and nurse Petersen and the viewer into thinking he has the information they are seeking on Dr. Lawrence. What Dr. Green and nurse Petersen and the viewer do not realize is that Michael has one goal on this Christmas eve and thanks to an oversight by Dr. Green, Michael achieves his goal. And that is when we learn why he is in this mental hospital because his presents there is never really clearly defined throughout this story.
What a film! Xavier Dolan deserves more credit for his acting and directing. He is an overlooked talent that hopefully will be a big name in the movie world. But unfortunately real talent seldom makes a splash in Hollywood.
Boring!!!!
mleighs-882699 August 2015
Well, I didn't know what to expect, it was a lazy rainy Sunday afternoon today and so I turned this on. It couldn't have been less interesting. Slow pace. Under-dynamic performances from the never-any-inflection in his voice actor who plays Dr. Greene.... is he capable of an expression or only just that blank stare and monotone voice. I didn't hate the movie, I wasn't planning on doing anything really productive today anyway, but now I think I'm more asleep than when I started. Boring! An almost interesting performance from the 'patient', I can't be bothered to waste any more time today looking up the actor's names. He slipped out of character a few times, lost momentum and broke a convincing portrayal that devolved into overly melodramatic theatrics. Maybe better carried out on the stage, however it's hard not to go overboard playing opposite someone with no expression of any kind. Almost as if he was taking on the responsibility of both actors.
I didn't like it. I didn't hate it. I wouldn't recommend it.
I didn't like it. I didn't hate it. I wouldn't recommend it.
An intellectual film of intense emotion
krice235 January 2019
I don't give many 10's. However, I could find nothing wrong, anywhere, from dialogue to plot to character devolopment, to hold against this most unique film.
I say unique not because nothing similar has ever come before, but because the art, the humanity, this director understood in order to make this film so full and satisfyingly complete, telling a story you're truly waiting on and not anticipating or calculating, is beautiful and acute.
A tapestry has truly been weaved!
Bravo!
Just very boring
jerseypanda10 November 2021
Beautiful and thought provoking
orcas-3962520 October 2019
This film is beautiful in a strangely devastating way. You begin by being thoroughly distrustful of Dolan's character, Michael, but he leads you on a journey of simple what ifs. It shows how little control and power over their own lives people really have.
This films leaves a lasting impression. Utterly brilliant.
Boring and Irritating
Moodb00m14 March 2023
An ok movie, the plot was not very intriguing though the theme was. The writing for the character of Michael was in my opinion very inaccurate and poorly executed but I think the script and the directing is most at fault. It could have been a 7 from me but the acting from everybody in this movie was awful, so I blame the Director. It didn't make me feel anything, though it really tried and that made it worst. I would say it was boring but it was irritating me more (because of the acting).
Everything else, like the photography and the camera work it was good. It needed a different director and writer. Kind of disappointed because this is the kind of movie i would love.
Everything else, like the photography and the camera work it was good. It needed a different director and writer. Kind of disappointed because this is the kind of movie i would love.
For Those who appreciate the real art of acting
lilu-dront25 May 2017
I have to start with the fact , that I am an ADDICT. Ever since I saw the first film with Xavier Dolan "Tom à la ferme" I was hooked. His talent doesn't have a specific term, I call it 'a unicorn' though.. because he is so unique. I am addicted to all the work he did, to his views and ideas. People like him are rarely born..so he is an exceptional figure.
This film is for those who DO value the true art of cinema. I was a bit skeptical before watching the film because it's an English. And I love the atmosphere of Québecois culture that was created by Dolan previously and the French language ,of course.
But as soon as Dolan's character appeared in this film I couldn't stop watching.. couldn't even pause.. Yes, the film is slow. BUT it's not boring.. it smoothly flows while keeping you on edge..! True art! And absolutely BRILLIANT Dolan!
This film is for those who DO value the true art of cinema. I was a bit skeptical before watching the film because it's an English. And I love the atmosphere of Québecois culture that was created by Dolan previously and the French language ,of course.
But as soon as Dolan's character appeared in this film I couldn't stop watching.. couldn't even pause.. Yes, the film is slow. BUT it's not boring.. it smoothly flows while keeping you on edge..! True art! And absolutely BRILLIANT Dolan!
Don't hate me but...
Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews14 July 2023
I think I am a bit in the minority on this one. I thought it was fine, but just fine. I'm not totally sure what the "point" was. It was entertaining to a degree and the small amount of suspense was interesting but at the end of the day... there wasn't much pay off and not all that much happened.
I by no means think the patient did a bad job, but I think he could have done wayyy better. You can tell he is a good actor but something about this performance was stilted. It felt very much like he was playing the quirky yet endearing psycho and not being. The intention was there and apparent, and he made solid choices, I just think something fell off in the delivery... something wasn't connecting.
I don't know, maybe I'm simple... but I just wasn't wild about this one. Felt a bit like a proof of concept to then be like, ok, cool foundation, now where do we go from here. As far as recommendation goes, I don't even think this would come to mind to recommend... but I wouldn't tell someone not to watch it... haha.
I by no means think the patient did a bad job, but I think he could have done wayyy better. You can tell he is a good actor but something about this performance was stilted. It felt very much like he was playing the quirky yet endearing psycho and not being. The intention was there and apparent, and he made solid choices, I just think something fell off in the delivery... something wasn't connecting.
I don't know, maybe I'm simple... but I just wasn't wild about this one. Felt a bit like a proof of concept to then be like, ok, cool foundation, now where do we go from here. As far as recommendation goes, I don't even think this would come to mind to recommend... but I wouldn't tell someone not to watch it... haha.
Dark, bleak, tragic and brilliant
roobypie24 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Watched this for the first time today. The lead actor, who played the patient, was mesmerising. Solid performance and made you hate, yet care about him all at once.
The "twist" isn't the sort of twist I was expecting. So if you're going into this expecting a mind blowing revelation you'll be disappointed. This is a slow burn mystery with a tragic abs sad ending. Michaels story was so sad, and you really felt for him as he told his tale. This left the ending even more haunting.
If you like strong acting and can handle the slow pace then I highly recommend this movie.
The "twist" isn't the sort of twist I was expecting. So if you're going into this expecting a mind blowing revelation you'll be disappointed. This is a slow burn mystery with a tragic abs sad ending. Michaels story was so sad, and you really felt for him as he told his tale. This left the ending even more haunting.
If you like strong acting and can handle the slow pace then I highly recommend this movie.
Fascinating performance by Xavier Dolan
justahunch-7054916 September 2022
Based upon a play that I have never heard of, but then I've never heard of this film either that is now 8 years old. What I find most surprising about that length of time is that I have not heard of what seems like a major talent named Xavier Dolan who is mesmerizing in this from start to finish. The only thing I've ever even seen him is Boy Erased of which I have no memory of him, but by the credit listing here, he must not be a major participant. This is always very, very interesting, but it has a stagey sort of feel to it at times for obvious reasons. It's mostly takes place in one room, a doctor's office, and it is not flawlessly written, but it's shortcomings in logic are minor compared to its rewards, While Dolan, as a very clever mentally damaged patient, is the focal point, this cat and mouse game between doctor and patient has another major character and that is of course the doctor played very well by Bruce Greenwood in one of his best performances. Catherine Keener is also good in a smaller, though prominent, role, bur Carrie-Anne Moss has little to do as a character I'm not sure is even really needed in this piece. I'm not sure why this isn't more well known or if it was even released in this country, but it is indeed something to watch in my opinion.
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