Seraphim Falls

This is a film that came out much earlier in the year (on IMDB.com it says it is a 2006 film, but it didn't hit theaters around here until February of this year, and even then only for a couple weeks until it left and came to video). It has two real actors, and the rest of the cast is window dressing, at best. In Seraphim Falls, Liam Neeson plays an ex-Confederate soldier named Carver, who seeks revenge on ex-Union soldier Gideon played by Pierce Brosnan.

There really isn't much to say about a film like this, because the whole thing feels like you're on the edge of something that could be cool, and by the time you're pushed over, you don't much care about what you get. You know that Carver is hunting Gideon, and you might be able to guess why, but really you don't know what the hell is going on. The subtitle at the beginning says it's 1868, and you can guess that you're in the American West, but other than the exact same snippet of history, a very short flashback that shows only fire, you don't know what the history of these characters is, you don't know why one is running and one is chasing, you don't know anything until they explain it all in a giant exposition at the end. The first 30 minutes was exciting, but at that point I really wanted to know what was going on, and it was frustrating to watch a 90 minute chase scene until I finally received answers.

The acting was alright I suppose. Frankly I don't think much was asked of them. There isn't a lot of dialogue, and barely any between the two main actors. It's mostly them running or riding around, trying to survive the elements, one running the other chasing. Mildly interesting at best. Also they don't try very hard to mask their Irish accents. It was like a really, really dramatic version of one of those Discovery Channel specials where they drop someone in the middle of the wilderness and he has to survive.

The oddest part of the movie? Probably Angelica Huston. She appears in the middle of nowhere towards the end and acts as a ex deus machina to provide weapons to two men who want to kill each other and were otherwise weaponless. There's maybe some interesting ambiguity about what she is, whether she is real or mirage, or as the behind the scenes special suggests, a representation of the devil (which I think tries to make the character a lot deeper than she really is). The best part? The scenary is truly beautiful. The snowcapped mountains are stunning, and a flashback scene featuring a treelined lane with leaves changing to fall colors is stunning. But a drive through Michigan in the fall will accomplis the same effect for less money and more enjoyment.

All in all? Be glad you didn't have a chance to see it at thaeters, you might have accidentally paid for it. Don't buy it, you probably won't watch it more than twice. Rent it if you are really curious, but skipping it won't hurt you. Skip this one, or better yet, go see Cold Mountain. It's a better version of this, with an actual plot.