Rating of
3.5/4
The Road: Gloom, doom and cannabalism
HL allen - wrote on 02/13/10
I was sceptical about my first trip to the cinema this year. For, as with many other things, to me first impressions are crucial and this trip would undoubtedly decide my outlook on cinema for the entire year. However, with the help of a friend’s advice I was pleasantly (in an eerie sense of the word) surprised with the incredible yet soul destroying experience that awaited me. As I walked past the seemingly endless queues for James Cameron’s disappointing blockbuster “Avatar,” my eyes fell upon a poster advertising the post apocalyptic thriller “The Road.” Based on the acclaimed novel by Cormac McCarthy, directed by john Hillcoat and Starring several A-list actors such as Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce, The Road by far looked the most promising film showing at that time. Within moments and without much deliberation, I had made my first major film related decision of 2010. Question is, would it be the correct one. 2 hours later, after being emotionally scarred, chilled to the bone and physically dumbstruck, I burst out of the double doors in floods of tears with only one thing running through my mind. This film is a true epic!
The plotline follows an unnamed man (Mortensen) and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) traversing their way across the now barren and lawless northern America after a mystery Apocalypse has swept across the earth. Over the past year the viewing public has been bombarded with a series of apocalypse movies, not all of them being even remotely interesting, so it seemed acceptable that the only lingering thought in my mind was that of doubt in the way which Hillcoat would display the McCarthy’s view of the fall of man. Could it be possible that Roland Emmerich’s expensive, repetitive and frankly quite amateur “birds eye view” technique had creeped in to replace the refined and unpretentious style of writing McCarthy uses. Thankfully Hillcoat stays true to the novel he is adapting, basing the entire movie on the aftermath, therefore leaving the cause of this unearthly phenomenon to the viewers imagination. However we have barely any time to condsider the possibilities before as we are struck dumb by the sight displayed on the screen. There is not one scene and landscape in this film which does not endorse a sense of impending dread and doom in the audience, the opening sequence including some of the greatest cinematography and art direction I have ever witnessed. By using clever contrasting shots of the lush and fertile land of the pre apocalyptic era, the desolate and suffering land of the supposed present day is made all the more shocking and awe-inspiring. The prologue is without on screen dialogue and yet remains incredible, being helped along by a chilling narrative from Mortensen and jaw dropping screenings of the evidently cancerous disease eating away at the planet. Solely achieved by using an array of lifeless, sterile greys and browns, Hillcoat creates the most affecting and believable apocalypse aftermath shown on screen yet. Forget Avatar, this is should be the film at the helm of the visionary revolution!
Although the visual perfection of this film is widely accepted, its plot and watch ability are factors where the film is deemed to fall down. However I believe this to be an unfair and harsh overview as personally the balances between action and drama slot together perfectly and I defy anyone to state that this film was less tense than any of its apocalyptic competitors. It keeps the viewer frequently on the edge their seat, often due to scenes revolving around the murderous and cannibalistic gangs that are consistently hunting the few survivors that remain “good guys.” Unfortunately the frequent cameo appearances only emphasise how far the script revolving around man and son can reach. Yet it is these roles that add unneeded and tedious depth to many of the scenes, especially the sequence including Robert Duvall. The final sour and disappointing let down of this film is its Hollywood sweetened ending. After one of the most emotional and heart rendering scenes this year a bleak and unhopeful finale would have been the icing on the cake. But due to obvious corporate editing the film ends on a lighter and somewhat unbelievable note, demeaning to McCarthy’s clear statement about the stability of humanity.
Though, for its faults are few, we are forced to accept the outstanding quality of the film. One evident quality standing out more than the others is that of the overwhelming standard of acting provided by previous Aragorn, Viggo Mortensen. He commits himself fully to the role both physically and mentally, loosing dangerous amounts of weight and becoming “the man” by wearing and sleeping in the same clothes during much of the filming. I enjoyed his performance so much that, after viewing, I quickly vowed to myself that if Mortensen didn’t win the Oscar, I would personally sabotage the Oscars with nothing but a haversack and a homemade bomb. So, as a result, I hope you’ll look forward to seeing me live on TV for an Oscar’s ceremony that the film board will certainly not forget! However to name Mortensen as the only award winning performer would be a crime in itself. For, at the age of 13, Kodi Smit-McPhee has delivered one of the most accomplished performances shown on screen by a child actor. He fits the role of the boy perfectly, creating a perfect balance of fear, sadness and desperation that, combined with the protectiveness of Mortensens character, often moves the audience to tears.
I can think of only one possible reason to not watch or rent this film. If you are contemplating suicide, then maybe reconsider watching this film as it may tip you over the edge. Hillcoat manages to successfully portray the incredible and moving journey of a man and his son, but at the same time including McCarthy’s message about the fragility of humanity. The fact that it received no academy award nominations only stresses the faults with the choices this year, with average crowd pleasing films such as the blindside and avatar being nominated for best picture. I must confess that when the nominations were announced, and I found Hillcoat and Mortensen to be without mention, I had an uncontrollable urge to leap through the screen and brutally strangle Anne Hathaway. However, the roads success was not to be, although being better than all the other films, it does not have the “feel good factor” that much of the public are obsessed with. But, whether you have read the novel or not, if you wish to see a film that moves you, shocks you and most of all, makes you think then look no further. The road is the film for you.
