Three tragic accidents, no redemption. 2015 is off to a crazy start for films.
Bluebird, the first film of Lance Edmands, is a bleak account of a tragedy in an isolated town in Maine. In the end there are slivers of hope but nothing outright. Those involved in the accident try to get others to forgive to no avail. Like the harsh winter weather, no one will let up in this film.
Foxcatcher has garnered much attention for its portrayal of the tragic death of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz at the hands of crazed millionaire John du Pont. While
some have argued that the end of the film rushed through seven years of history and training and Olympics before Schultz' murder the painstakingly slow pace (my boyfriend was not a fan of this film) made the abrupt close of the film all the more wild. Small moments — after the death of his mother du Pont freeing her prized horses from their barn — are worth the wait. The burn is slow but necessary.
Last but certainly best was
Leviathan. Director Andrey Zvyagintsev depicts life in the coastal Russian town of Pribrezhny. Kolya, a mechanic and handyman, is being forced out of the home he built for his family on the edge of town. The pillars of the main characters lives were exactly as I picture Russia full of vodka, corrupt politicians, harsh landscapes and people.
There is no redemption in this film, absolutely none. Corrupt politicians, old grudges, bad relationships, nothing is resolved or redeemed. We see a man lose absolutely everything for no reason other than greed of others.
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