j-connolly

The film has an excellent cast. It starts promisingly, but is soon let down by a howling maelstrom of themes clshing in confusion much like the tempest and unending rain flooding the earth as they float in a sort of enormous shed on the limitless oceans.

The potentially interesting angle of practical matters involved in an ark are skated over, as are all specific and potentially rich avenues of life on an ark.

Instead, the focus is on family, childen, and a range of characters who don't take on proper form because the script doesn't let them. There are only three central character, and none of these are developed meaningfully. Including Noah, who is a symbol without persona.

It's a film which passed very slowly. And yet the film was not without some critical success, which makes me wonder.

Minor point : Crowe is directed with the current malady of actors mumbling and muttering their lines at the very limits of what is audible. Oe gets the impression this is a technique to make us strain to hear, and pay attention, giving the illusion this is something really worth listening to. The bits we can't quite make out, we subconsciously think must be profoundly deep and meaningful since, being inaudible, they are cloaked in mystery.

A wonderful version of The Tempest. The atmosphere mkes it striking. The ragged old dark palace where it's set. The gothic punk acting. The excitement, drama, and passion it adds to the play. It brings out the mythical and magical side in a playful way, with a dark gothic flavour. Those expecting a costume drama and Shakespeare play in theatre wan't like it. They won't see the humour and drama. Those who remember the seventies will love its hilarious festive playfullness.