Seraphim Falls Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 02.07.2007
A heart-pounding western with excellent performances.
Liam Neeson: Carver
Pierce Brosnan: Gideon
Michael Wincott: Hayes
Ed Lauter: Parsons
John Robinson: The Kid
Robert Baker: Pope
Jimmi Simpson: Virgil
Angelica Houston: Madam Louise Fair
Shannon Zeller: Charlotte
Angie Harmon: Rose
Written/Directed By: David Von Ancken
Release Date: January 26, 2007
Running Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes
Rated R for violence and brief language.
Seraphim Falls is a good western that could have been great. The opening minutes of this gorgeously aggressive film were magnetic, riveting, and wasted no time putting the audience under a spell. It prolongs suspense like Deliverance, and displays graphic violence with passion similar to the Australian western The Proposition. Despite one bump in this consistently stunning road, Seraphim Falls is a relentless tale that brilliantly relies on the fundamental principle to keep viewers hanging until precisely the right moment.
The story commences 5 years after the Civil War in the snow covered mountains where the grizzled Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) crouches lost in a daydream, but is suddenly ambushed by a single shot that strikes his arm. He proceeds to race away from the danger, and digs out the bullet with a knife. The man hunting him is Carver (Liam Neeson), who also has the aid of a group of men that are getting paid for their troubles. One is named Hayes (Michael Wincott), another is Parsons (Ed Lauter), and yet another is the youthful “Kid” (John Robinson). Carver’s goal is to capture Gideon alive, but little is known of his plan besides that. Gideon escapes to a lonesome house, but his pursuers maintain a steady speed behind him. How do these two men know each other? Who is right, and who is wrong? As the vendetta between the two grows worse, the bodies start piling up.
Pierce Brosnan has stated that he plans to make a return to mainstream cinema with his next projects. What makes this decision worth noting is that Brosnan’s best career performances can be seen in the last two years. In The Matador, he displayed a side of himself as Julian Noble that was both hilarious and heartfelt. Here, he portrays Gideon, and this easily stands as one of his most evocatively fulfilling and subdued roles ever. Gideon was a high ranking Civil War officer, just as Carver was. However, the first impression of him after gazing at Gideon’s scruffy and rough exterior would not suggest military intelligence. Feeling sympathy toward Gideon is natural, but as the plot moves forward, and viewers witness his mastery with a knife, it becomes exceedingly clear that a mysterious and calculating quality surrounds him.
The resume of Liam Neeson speaks for itself, but this adds to a lengthy list of impressive roles. As Carver, his cold stare and relentless attitude in following Gideon to the ends of the Earth are hypnotizing. He is a man hell bent on revenge, and will stop at nothing to heal his wounded soul. Only during the final moments is Carver’s motive revealed, and the method in which these enemies’ secret is finally spilled unfolds in a most sincere, yet proper fashion. The key to the entertainment lies with the fact that Neeson and Brosnan have perfectly molded their characters so that moviegoers do not know who to favor. It was executed in a way to prove that these Irish born actors were ideal for the parts.
I must take this time to praise the work of Michael Wincott. Wincott is one of the best, and most under appreciated, villains in motion picture history, but his name is still relatively unknown. His face pops up every now and then, but nowhere near enough. He has contributed to such recommended films like The Count of Monte Cristo, Metro, The Crow, and The Assassination of Richard Nixon. As one of Carver’s mercenaries, his terrifying eyes and raspy voice causes him to be increasingly memorable with each role.
When I saw the animated film Happy Feet, I was mesmerized by the work, and awarded an encouraging rating, but was disappointed with one solitary scene that was handled terribly. Likewise, in Seraphim Falls one spot prevents it from reaching the peak of the mountain. Is it too harsh decrease a rating based on one scene? Sometimes that moment is crucial. The character of Angelica Houston is responsible, but it is the timing of her appearance. She performs her part as a sneaky peddler wonderfully, but she is so out of place, it is actually maddening. What level of symbolism were they striving for? I was not as angry with this flaw as I was with Happy Feet, but it is still impossible to ignore.
The feature film debut of David Von Ancken is a welcomed one. A long and prosperous career lies ahead if he continues to craft his projects like this. He has primarily dealt with television on average shows like C.S.I.: NY and Cold Case, but he clearly has a knack for cinema. His conclusion was skillfully thought provoking and open to interpretation. It is understandable that his rookie effort does not go the extra mile it needed to be a classic. The storyline seems hesitant to delve too deep beneath the surface. Von Ancken’s promising direction, combined with the beautiful cinematography by two-time Oscar winner John Toll, gives Seraphim Falls an elegant and pure background. The bitter cold of the Ruby Mountains and the dry emptiness of the desert are enthralling, picturesque, and exquisite.
This psychodrama, laced with taut action, should have been a disastrous and lethargic bore, but the filmmaking and acting is top-notch, and your eyes are constantly locked to the screen. Seraphim Falls is a simple, brooding, and portentous revenge chase thriller, but one that is spectacular to admire, and gratifying to discuss. The characters are more than just bones. They have meat and dimension to them that evokes and honest and substantial existence. One final note is how accurate the plot is in illustrating certain actions and events that took place during the Civil War. It examines the tragic and unfortunate consequences of two sections of a nation battling itself. Seraphim Falls is not as immaculate as westerns by Sergio Leone or John Ford, but it deserves a respectable reputation.
The 411: Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson star in a film about vengeance and Civil War. This is an attractive and well acted western chase movie that might not be perfect, but is still worth seeing. Television director David Von Ancken has started his movie resume with a valiant effort that hopefully leads to a masterpiece someday. Seraphim Falls is only a limited release, and the storyline might not sound very original, but give it a chance. It is one of the first movies of 2007 really worth seeing.
