MOVIE REVIEW
WINGED CREATURES
Perhaps it's indicative of culture today where a shooting spree registers a fleeting moment on TV news. Within that 3 minute sound-bite, tales of survival and tragedy are wrapped in an easily digestible package. Winged Creatures looks at the aftermath of such events, where survivors attempt to cope with the fall-out. Courageously doing so, Winged Creatures paints a disturbing portrait of people refusing to confront their fears.
Sitting in a cafe, teenage best friends Anne (Dakota Fanning) and Jimmy (Josh Hutcherson) await their meal. Also present are Charlie (Forest Whitaker), Bruce (Guy Pearce) and waitress Carla (Kate Beckinsale). As they go about their routine, their lives become shattered by a gunman who enters the cafe and begins randomly shooting. Surviving the ensuing carnage, the five endeavour to resume normal lives. Unfortunately death's traumatic shadow immerses them as their reaction to this violent crime threatens to destroy their lives as cleanly as the gunman's bullet.
Rarely does a recent film tackle the subject of post traumatic stress disorder. It's odd why this is the case, but a reason maybe cinema's determination to present more escapist fare to offset some of the darker times of this decade. In its exploration of feelings of rage, isolation and guilt, Winged Creatures runs the gamut of emotions in ways other genres have failed. Strongly portrayed by a fine ensemble cast, each character's thoughts are set in a holding pattern until their senses are able to accept the horror they witnessed. Until such a moment of realisation occurs, their actions speak of people living a skewered version of their regular lives.
As with any multi-cast piece, some characters fare better than others. The plight of Anne and Jimmy are moving as their young minds appear unable to cope with the savage act of an unbalanced adult. What's interesting about their strand is how their parents are also traumatised by their children's behaviour, with the ripple effect of crime well articulated. Regrettably this isn't carried through to other sections where the relationships between some characters are murky at best. Despite being excellent actors, Pearce and Whitaker fare the worst in their segments, where more exposition was needed to convey their deeper deliberations.
Director Rowan Woods should be commended for undertaking a topic so often ignored. Where the effects of any trauma can last days or years, it's useful having a film like Winged Creatures to remind there are always lasting consequences to any deeds.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Winged Creatures released in Australia on Thursday 9th July 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review WINGED CREATURES
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
Sitting in a cafe, teenage best friends Anne (Dakota Fanning) and Jimmy (Josh Hutcherson) await their meal. Also present are Charlie (Forest Whitaker), Bruce (Guy Pearce) and waitress Carla (Kate Beckinsale). As they go about their routine, their lives become shattered by a gunman who enters the cafe and begins randomly shooting. Surviving the ensuing carnage, the five endeavour to resume normal lives. Unfortunately death's traumatic shadow immerses them as their reaction to this violent crime threatens to destroy their lives as cleanly as the gunman's bullet.
Rarely does a recent film tackle the subject of post traumatic stress disorder. It's odd why this is the case, but a reason maybe cinema's determination to present more escapist fare to offset some of the darker times of this decade. In its exploration of feelings of rage, isolation and guilt, Winged Creatures runs the gamut of emotions in ways other genres have failed. Strongly portrayed by a fine ensemble cast, each character's thoughts are set in a holding pattern until their senses are able to accept the horror they witnessed. Until such a moment of realisation occurs, their actions speak of people living a skewered version of their regular lives.
As with any multi-cast piece, some characters fare better than others. The plight of Anne and Jimmy are moving as their young minds appear unable to cope with the savage act of an unbalanced adult. What's interesting about their strand is how their parents are also traumatised by their children's behaviour, with the ripple effect of crime well articulated. Regrettably this isn't carried through to other sections where the relationships between some characters are murky at best. Despite being excellent actors, Pearce and Whitaker fare the worst in their segments, where more exposition was needed to convey their deeper deliberations.
Director Rowan Woods should be commended for undertaking a topic so often ignored. Where the effects of any trauma can last days or years, it's useful having a film like Winged Creatures to remind there are always lasting consequences to any deeds.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Winged Creatures released in Australia on Thursday 9th July 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review WINGED CREATURES
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
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