Van Sant's teenage observational period was arguably at it's peak with Colombine fictionalization Elephant. Certainly with more substance then his pretentious Last Days which followed, this short, detached film still suffers from excessive tracking and needless filler but when focused on the heart of it's few main character's trek around school, becomes rather immersive and somewhat tense.
Overall, the movie was probably a recipient of the Golden Palm at Cannes due to Sant's personal, experimental style coupled by the still-fresh psychological wounds the devastating school massacre left upon our psyches.
Overall, the movie was probably a recipient of the Golden Palm at Cannes due to Sant's personal, experimental style coupled by the still-fresh psychological wounds the devastating school massacre left upon our psyches.