Seraphim Falls

A drama that is closer to The Edge than to a western. The only western thing about it is the setting. We wait quite a long time for the important information about why one is chasing the other and its disclosure does not have as much impact as the creators intended (it is hurried and weirdly edited). However, the pair of stellar actors, attractive exteriors and the mysterious atmosphere that permeates the entire film are enough for a pleasant movie in which there is always something to look at. The final “mystical” passage is touching and makes the film more distinct, but not significantly better. (03/08/2010)

No explanation and you find yourself in the middle of the action from the very first seconds. Although Seraphim Falls stands very little chance of grabbing the attention with its screenplay, it’s a good picture even so. Primarily thanks to the awesome natural scenery and also the charismatic central duo. The beginning up until the log cabin and the end from the meeting with the Indian are simply excellent, but in the meantime we are treated to about an hour of movie that seems to be just endless variations on the opening scene. Making it shorter or spicing up the middle with some attention grabbing scene could have turned this into an above-average affair. But this way it is just an average, unarguably entertaining, drama which really isn’t much of a western. (06/23/2007)

A perfect old-school movie with great acting performances, excellent camera work and amazing music by Harry Gregson-Williams. The excellent beginning in the mountains is followed by the weaker middle part when almost nothing really happens. Well, apart from Pierce Brosnan laying it on us all the time. The end was surprisingly like I wanted it to be, but I certainly didn’t expect it. Truly a very good watch. The director, David Von Ancken, has nothing to be ashamed about in this his first feature length movie. (01/25/2008)

Pleasant and undemanding old-school entertainment with a phenomenal cinematographer and an equally talented composer. The direction is not that important. All the benefits are provided by the captivating natural scenery, rawness, and two incredibly charismatic protagonists – Liam Neeson, in particular, is perfect in the role of a former soldier – and they have another asset: the ambiguity of their characters. Not even the most attentive viewer can honestly say which one is bad and which one is good, or who deserves to win. Both of them are tough, ruthless, and have good reasons for it. The attempt at mystery in the ending can be overlooked, although I personally didn’t like it in such a realistic story. And the ending? Probably the most reasonable outcome, even though somewhat soft. (07/23/2007)