The Last Sin Eater - review
So, I went to see "The Last Sin Eater" tonight. I was the only person in the theatre (which amused me rather). Not sorry I went, but aside from one particular person's part, this is a very pedestrian film.
Warning - there may be spoilers contained herein, though I don't think so.
There is considerable interest in the underlying plot, but it is not realized nearly as well as it might have been. The direction is staid, the music overdone and the photography middle of the road. (None of this is *bad* just not outstanding). Utah does a lovely job of standing in for the Appalachians, and some of the scenery is very fine. The special effects (very limited, thank goodness) were obvious and trite.
Costume nit-pick: Cadi's clothes are far too nice and much too embellished. I did not allow that to get in my way, but I certainly noticed it and had to make allowances.
The performances are generally pretty good, with kudos to all the young people, Cadi's father, the preacher, and the woman playing Bletsung McLeod. The one truly outstanding performance is that of Peter Wingfield as the sin eater himself.
Now, I admit that the only reason this film came up on my radar at all is Mr Wingfield, so I was predisposed to like his performance, but his character is also by far the most interesting one. Well worth the effort. And there are some extremely fine moments. The voice-work he is doing is a testament to his skill -- one needs to listen attentively to recognize it. The way he moves is actually much easier to recognize :-).
There is a certain amount of suspension of disbelief that must be held onto quite firmly, but I did find the film generally satisfying (though very slow paced) and liked the ending.
Now my brain is busy trying to map Methos and Sim together :-). And I derived No Little Amusement from the fact that the Love of Sim's life is named McLeod.
It would work -- the story starts in 1830 and the main action takes place in 1850. But what would have to have happened after Byron to make Methos want to spend time in a tiny Appalachian hamlet, and then feel compelled to stay once the events of the prologue transpire? Thinky thoughts, thinky thoughts.
Warning - there may be spoilers contained herein, though I don't think so.
There is considerable interest in the underlying plot, but it is not realized nearly as well as it might have been. The direction is staid, the music overdone and the photography middle of the road. (None of this is *bad* just not outstanding). Utah does a lovely job of standing in for the Appalachians, and some of the scenery is very fine. The special effects (very limited, thank goodness) were obvious and trite.
Costume nit-pick: Cadi's clothes are far too nice and much too embellished. I did not allow that to get in my way, but I certainly noticed it and had to make allowances.
The performances are generally pretty good, with kudos to all the young people, Cadi's father, the preacher, and the woman playing Bletsung McLeod. The one truly outstanding performance is that of Peter Wingfield as the sin eater himself.
Now, I admit that the only reason this film came up on my radar at all is Mr Wingfield, so I was predisposed to like his performance, but his character is also by far the most interesting one. Well worth the effort. And there are some extremely fine moments. The voice-work he is doing is a testament to his skill -- one needs to listen attentively to recognize it. The way he moves is actually much easier to recognize :-).
There is a certain amount of suspension of disbelief that must be held onto quite firmly, but I did find the film generally satisfying (though very slow paced) and liked the ending.
Now my brain is busy trying to map Methos and Sim together :-). And I derived No Little Amusement from the fact that the Love of Sim's life is named McLeod.
It would work -- the story starts in 1830 and the main action takes place in 1850. But what would have to have happened after Byron to make Methos want to spend time in a tiny Appalachian hamlet, and then feel compelled to stay once the events of the prologue transpire? Thinky thoughts, thinky thoughts.