kramden_bus Reviews

Bastard Out of Carolina (1996)

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FILMS OF OUR TIME

[10/10 · 14 June 2001]

Anjelica Huston's directorial debut shows great courage and skill -- the courage to take on a project such as this, knowing that it would most likely not be a 'box office smash'; and the skill to tell the story so effectively. This subject (child abuse/incest) is one of the most uncomfortable for our society to acknowledge, and it has too often been treated luridly on screen -- the sensitivity displayed here by all involved is welcome and refreshing, and it should give us hope. I wish this incredible film had seen a theatrical release, so that more people could experience it. The screenplay, carefully rendered by Anne Meredith from Dorothy Allison's moving novel, is one of the best adaptations I've ever witnessed. Some parts of the book were necessarily omitted -- the film could only be so long -- but Meredith shows intelligence and respect for her base material by not tinkering with it. The story is a hard one, told well in the book -- and the translation to the screen has retained that impact, with all of the horror and pain of Bone's childhood there for us to see and feel. The cast is simply amazing, especially Jena Malone as Bone. It' very rare to see an actor so young turn in such a performance -- it must have been extremely difficult for her -- her courage, as well, should be applauded. If she can show us work like this at such a young age, what does her career hold in store...? To those who feel there was too much brutality in this film -- this is real. This is something that occurs far more often in our 'civilized' society than most people would be comfortable admitting. The horror and disgust we feel at witnessing such actions, even in a film, are as nothing compared to the pain and scars (both physical and psychological) that such crimes leave on innocent children -- pain and scars that can last a lifetime. Shame on you if you cluck your tongue and decry such an important film because it 'makes you uncomfortable'. That's exactly what it should do. I would also recommend Tim Roth's stunning film THE WAR ZONE. Kudos to Anjelica Huston and everyone involved in bringing this moving work to the screen.

The War Zone (1999)

Should be required viewing...

[10/10 · 19 December 2000]

im Roth's directorial debut is an absolutely stunning piece of work. Roth, as well as the actors and crew involved in the making of this film, should be commended -- not only for their art, but for bringing such an important subject as this into the light in such a sensitive way. Everything about the film -- the look, the use of music, the adaptation (by Alexander Stuart, from his novel), Roth's direction, and the incredible work of the actors, is first-rate. Especially notable is the work by Lara Belmont and Freddie Cunliffe, the young actors who portray the brother and sister in the film -- I would have never guessed from their performances that this was their first time out.

Many viewers have been caught off-guard by this film -- it's easily one of the most gut-wrenching I've ever seen. One woman I've talked with saw it at the Sundance Festival, without knowing anything about it beforehand, and was totally devastated by it -- but moved to such an extent that she went back to her community determined to do something positive to help survivors.

A film that can touch people on such a deep level should be more widely seen -- especially when it deals with a subject as important as this one.