How entertaining? ★★★☆☆
Thought provoking? ★★☆☆☆ 3 August 2008
This a movie review of RESERVATION ROAD. |
“If a man stands in a forest, with no woman around, is he still wrong?” Lucas (Eddie Alderson)
It is a shame RESERVATION ROAD has gone straight to DVD considering the craftsmanship on display, and the pedigree of the director (Terry George - HOTEL RWANDA) and cast (Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Mira Sorvino and Jennifer Connelly).
It is a shame RESERVATION ROAD has gone straight to DVD considering the craftsmanship on display, and the pedigree of the director (Terry George - HOTEL RWANDA) and cast (Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Mira Sorvino and Jennifer Connelly).
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It perhaps did not ignite imaginations because it is a type of melodrama that seems quite popular of late, from two directors in particular: Susanne Bier (THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE, OPEN HEARTS, AFTER THE WEDDING) and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (BABEL, 21 GRAMS, AMORES PERROS). Both film-makers seem interested in heightened emotion (while attempting to avoid sentimentalism), coincidence, aftermath and the bringing together of seemingly random people. RESERVATION ROAD shares these themes, and adds allegorical post 9//11 and apartheid elements concerning vilification, retribution and empathy.
A tragedy befalls the Learner family, which is compounded by the perpetrator not owning up. RESERVATION ROAD proceeds to analyse the anguish and repercussions of both the victims as well as the culprit, in a CRIME AND PUNISHMENT kind of way – and more satisfying that Woody Allen’s latest CASSANDRA’S DREAM. The outcome here is tense with uncertainty.
Intense performances and credible writing however do not quite stop the feeling of slight déjà-vu with this melodramatic subgenre of coincidence and intimate disaster. Ambitiousness of themes, though, elevate this.