Michelle SweeneyReview - Winged Creatures
April 27th 2009 07:27
Following along in the vein of Babel and Crash, Winged Creatures focusses on a group of strangers who are all connected after surviving a random shooting in a diner in Los Angeles. Coping with life after being surrounded by death, all the characters react differently to the tragedy.
Dr Bruce Laraby, who was not in the diner at the time of the shooting but had inadvertently opened the door for the killer as he was leaving, failed to resuscitate both the killer and the victim, Aaron, Anne's father. He struggles with guilt and the realisation that he cannot be god and tries to focus his energies on his girlfriend as someone who needs saving.
This movie is all about the what rather than the why - each of the individuals trying to understand who they are and how to cope with life after tragedy.
Anne Hagen: I didn't do anything, Mom. I'm sorry.
Doris Hagen: No, it's okay.
Anne Hagen: I can't ever forgive that man for what he did. I can't. Never.
Doris Hagen: Don't either of you. Ever.
Overall the acting was strong although I thought there was too much focus on Anne (Dakota Fanning). Out of all the story lines this seemed to be the most uninteresting although the appearance of Jeanne Tripplehorn as mum Doris was well placed.
Based on Roy Freirich's novel of the same name and directed by Australian director Rowan Woods (Little Fish starring Cate Blanchett), the movie struggles a little with the hardcore subject matter. It is a slow paced movie with little interest for those who like a lot of action in their films but for those who enjoy a slower paced character study, it is definitely one to look out for.
Voyage Review: 3.5/5
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I wanted to check this one out but the cast really put me off (except Forest Whitaker, who I rank very highly)...sadly now I have read the book and enjoyed it I doubt I will give it a chance....sounds like the film avoids challenging its audience.
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Always Learning
Cinema Voyage