Seraphim Falls - Absorbing Drama (Seraphim Falls (DVD))

Member Name: GoFigure

Product:	Seraphim Falls (DVD)
Date:	26/01/09 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fascinating - great chase scenes.

Disadvantages: The storyline is a bit weak.

Director: David Von Ancken
Writers: David Von Ancken & Abby Everett Jaques
Genre: Drama - War - Western
Country: USA
Certification: 15+
Language: English
Released: 24th December, 2007 (DVD)

MAIN CAST:
Liam Neeson (Carver)
Pierce Brosnan (Gideon)


In 1860's Nevada, at the end of the Civil War, a group of men, led by Carver, are tracking down an extremely resourceful and skilled man named Gideon. Although they manage to wound him, Gideon will give them a run for their money by leading them on a merry chase through the wintry mountains and across the vast, empty wasteland that is the Nevada desert.

Along the way, they will come across a wagon train with religious settlers, a railroad crew, settlements, a farmhouse occupied by a distrustful father, a plucky young daughter and crafty son, a strange woman selling a 'miracle cure-all' brew in the middle of the desert, and an Indian philosopher who guards a waterhole.

As Gideon whittles his pursuers down to a single man, Carver, the reasons for the hunt will become clearer and Gideon will finally have to face the ghosts of Seraphim Falls.

Nebulous summary of the storyline? I agree - but it can't be helped. This is the case of a movie being based on a single event, and disclosure of this event turns this movie into a pointless and boring stretch of scenes that will no doubt appear endless. The only way to truly appreciate this movie is by not knowing why Carver and his men are hunting Gideon.

Although a simple storyline that relies on the viewer's ignorance of the plot, the 'hunting' scenes are extremely engrossing and the acting superb.

Gideon is an expert with a knife, resourceful, and is as wily and cunning as a fox. He manages to outrun and to outsmart his pursuers time and again regardless that he is wounded, and the viewer can't help but be awed by his stamina. Pierce Brosnan gives a fantastic performance as Gideon, and although there isn't much to the storyline, his scenes are immaculate and brilliantly executed.

Carver, who appears extremely ruthless and unfeeling, possesses a depth to him that is not immediately evident. He is a man with a purpose, vengeful and determined, and his sole purpose for living revolves around killing Gideon. Liam Neeson, an exceptionally talented actor, manages, with very little script to work on, to give his character substance. Whatever the viewer's first impression of Carver, it will inevitably change - simply because there is a depth to Carver that is overshadowed by hatred and anger.

'Seraphim Falls' is all about one man's determination and obsession to see justice done, to execute revenge, and that is what fascinates and captivates the viewer - the anger and the hatred - the insane and reckless need for vengeance.

There are two very odd scenes towards the end of the movie, one with a strange woman selling some sort of potion in the middle of the desert, and the other with a philosophical Indian guarding a waterhole. Try as I might, I couldn't actually find a reason for these two scenes, however, as strange and out-of-place as they were, perhaps even unnecessary, they are fantastical, almost like a mirage, and although the viewer will inevitably forget this movie - those two scenes will always be remembered.

'Seraphim Falls', although not a brilliant movie, is a fascinating movie to watch, compelling, and will hook the viewer to a certain extent by keeping him/her visually occupied with the 'hunt', however, its only premise is that of vengeance, and a final question; "Is there life after revenge? "

Summary: It's all about revenge...