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| Ethan Hawke as The Reverend Toller |
In Aldeburgh on the coast of Suffolk there's a little cinema called...wait for it... The Aldeburgh Cinema. Last Wednesday I went there on my own to see "First Reformed" starring Ethan Hawke as Reverend Ernst Toller. Shirley didn't fancy the film so she stayed back in our rental apartment knitting and watching "Sunshine on Leith" once again.
"First Reformed" is an austere film located in Snowbridge, New York. Though it is set in modern times, the atmosphere is quiet. There are no car chases or computers or madly ringing cell phones. Our focus is almost wholly on Reverend Toller and his troubled state of mind. He finds it hard to pray and has issues with alcohol and his former wife Esther who is still part of the church community. Toller appears to be particularly affected by the pointless death of his son in The Iraq War.
Cinematographically, the film includes many thoughtfully captured scenes and moments which add a certain depth and beauty to the look of "First Reformed". It could almost be black and white but it isn't. It's Snowbridge in wintertime and you can almost feel the cold.
The ending is surprising. Some cinema-goers might feel cheated by it and at Aldeburgh there was an audible grumbling of dissent in the audience when they realised the show was over. Later, as Clint took me home, I was still thinking about that problematic ending and as I showered on Thursday morning I continued contemplating it. I do not wish to give any more about the ending away in case you get to see "First Reformed" yourself.
Themes that the film touches upon include global warming, religious belief, mental health and the modus operandi of big business church organisations.
Full marks to Ethan Hawke. His performance was a tour de force and applause too for the writer and director Paul Schrader. I must say I was quietly gripped throughout the film. There's an engaging melancholy about it all so I recognise that it might not be everybody's cup of tea but for me it was the best film I have seen in several months.
Thank you for this post. I am more of a moviegoer than Ellie; we haven’t gone out to a film together in years, I do enjoy watching quirky and thought-provoking films on the telly, during which length of time Ellie usually stays in another part of the house. Preface to say I was intrigued by your review but knowing I probably won’t be seeing the film any time in the near future, I found a plot summary of it on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you are still thinking about the ending days later. I might be thinking about more than just the ending. It seems to be a very good film that deserves a bigger audience than it is getting. Costing just $3.5 million to make, its box office receipts in the U.S. since its release on June 18 has been what must be a very disappointing $3.8 million. Maybe it will grow by word of mouth.
An interesting sidelight, the film was made at Zion Episcopal Church in Queens, NY, whose curate, Michael Curry, not only is the current presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. but also spoke at the recent royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Oh dear. Is he that fellow who rambled on and on and on?
DeleteI hope that one day you get to see "First Reformed". Plenty of food for thought.
It sounds right up my alley but I don't seem to get to the cinema much. I'll try to keep it in mind.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it will be out on DVD in the not too distant future.
DeleteOK, good to know! I think I'd like it. I don't mind an unresolved ending.
ReplyDeleteYes. I think it might be your "cup of tea" too Steve.
DeleteI think religious belief has a lot to do with mental illness. And, how anyone can honor churches that whose leaders allow pedophilia to flourish for generations is beyond me. And how religious leaders are allowed to spout politics in church and yet can do so without ever paying taxes is a sin!
ReplyDeleteSo, I don't think I can see this movie. Although Ethan is very good at his job.
Your attitude to religion mirrors my own but though I dispute the existence of God I cannot deny the existence of religion.
DeleteThis sounds intriguing. My husband and I haven't been to a movie in years but we've decided we need to go soon. I will keep this title in mind.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought I wanted/needed a happy ending to be content with a book or movie, but have been realizing lately that the only books/movies that I look back on as being "really good" had loose ends or something other than happy endings. Either I am changing or I am realizing something I didn't know about me.
Thank you for the review without giving away the ending.
It's nice to sit in a dark, quiet cinema with one's attention fully fixed on the screen. It's never quite the same at home.
DeleteYou're right. To many movies depend on razzle dazzle to entertain. If there is any message we miss it.
ReplyDeleteMost modern films are just fodder for the masses. They are mainly about making money at the box office.
DeleteI have read about that film and there's Oscar buzz about Mr. Hawke's performance already.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that "buzz" Mr C. The boy done good.
DeleteI've not read about this movie as yet...well, not until just now.
ReplyDeleteSchrader has written and directed some very movies, so I will keep a keen eye out for this one.
Thanks. :)
I wouldn't say it is a film to "enjoy". It's a film to "disturb".
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