Right out of the Mad-Max and the Thunderdome’s wardrobe room, Denzel brings his ability to play any role as if you have never seem him in anything else but the film you are watching. I keep reminding myself that this guy that brings his ‘A’ game to every film and I love him for it. I had to watch this movie twice because my wife and I went back and forth over whether or not Washington’s character was blind or not….can you help? :)
The backdrop and set design was amazing and fits this post-apocalyptic film well. The Mad Max meets Borderland type clothing brought the audience closer to the dirt and at one point made me thirsty and in need of a shower. Evan Jones, the classic train-wreck in every movie, was a great pivot point for Denzel as they were polarized as good and evil. Seen here it seems that Jones is not too happy about Washington ‘shooing’ away his cat. And he eventually pays the ultimate price for provoking him.
As you can see, the Hughes brothers put some great perspective on the darkness that brings this movie a very gloomy presence. There are, however, two very important roles in this movie that do not make themselves known until you dig under the surface. Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman round off this cast in a very healthy manner.
Mila is the shiny medallion of good that glimmers in rough when on screen. There are moments when the raw nature of her character is understood as innocence, and it plays the overall theme very well, but there is something very ‘dirty’ about her moral and ethic upbringing in the film.
When she is unveiled as Gary Oldman’s ‘girlfriends’ daughter it was a very pivotal moment for the movie and for Washingtons character. Needless to say, Kunis soon becomes a focal point as the movie progresses.
As for Oldman, I love this guy. Scott made mention that he is such a chameleon. We have seen him go from good to bad to hopeless to powerful in such sweet transition that he is that new go-to guy for any role in any movie. He is my new Sam Rockwell. Well…not quite.
Much love to his role in this film and look forward to following more of his films.
The film sometimes seemed a vessel for a larger picture. Religion and the ownership of ‘the book’ is often compared to Moses and his search for God. But don’t be shoved into the corner with this idea as the film is about much more. There are some great moments of raw truth and a rebirth of human nature that bring the world ‘out of the ashes’.
It seems that the Hughes brothers, who are noted for “Menace II Society”, have produced a quality film and has made us all note their intelligent perspective. Some scenes locked me into the sheer beauty and clear essence of the background as the action-packed transitions moved along. I could taste dust on my tongue… Great job!
Brilliant movie with a host of brilliant roles. I recommend this to anyone that is tired of cookie-cutter movies that try to be great with story alone. Give this trio of Kunis, Washington and Oldman a chance to get you dirty…
You will need a bath afterwards, I have no doubt.
