Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Written by Darren Aronofsky & Ari Handel
With a film based on the bible religion is obviously going to play into many people's reception of the film. While that's not necessarily how I feel things should be it is nonetheless going to be a topic of conversation for many. As such, I feel like I should preface this by saying that I don't consider myself to be a religious person. I have nothing against religion, but it simply doesn't play an important role in my life. That being said, I do not think Noah requires you to follow the religion it is based on in order to enjoy it as a film, and as well I don't believe it should offend you if you do consider yourself to be religious. It is simply an adaptation of a story from the bible, and a very good one at that.
Noah tells the well known story of a man who is told by "The Creator" that the world will be destroyed and that he is responsible for saving the innocent beings, the animals, so that life can have a new chance. Russell Crowe plays the titular lead, and gives an incredibly powerful and intense performance. One really feels the weight of every decision he has to make, and it is easily Crowe's best performance since 2007's 3:10 to Yuma. Also in great form here is Jennifer Connelly, playing Noah's wife, who has a few scenes where she manages to elevate the role above that of being simply a "wife" role, especially in the film's third act. The rest of the performances are strong as well, with Logan Lerman, playing Noah's troubled son, and Ray Winstone, as the antagonist, giving especially strong performances.
When one realizes that Darren Aronofsky made this film they will no doubt be unsurprised that the visuals are amazing. The editing and cinematography are very unique and add to the film's engrossing atmosphere. As well, the score is fantastic. It feels somewhat similar to Clint Mansell's score for Aronofsky's The Fountain, but does differentiate itself, taking on a more epic, biblical feel.
The greatest thing about this film, though, is the fearlessness that went into it. Many people forget that the bible has a lot of really strange and fantastical elements to it, and Aronofsky and co. do not shy away from that even a little bit. The effects used to bring these elements to life are fantastic, and its fascinating to see how much they committed to telling this story in their own way.
This is not a film for everybody, though. As befitting a story from its source material it is an incredibly heavy story. While definitely engrossing and entertaining, many of the story elements, including the main climax, are extremely dark and intense, definitely to a point that will be uncomfortable for many. If you can handle this kind of material, however, Noah will prove to be a fully entertaining spectacle. It's one of the most beautiful films of the past several years, and the performers are all on top of their game.
It is truly mesmerizing that this film actually got made, but I'm glad it did as it is a film that fully commits to the task and scale before it, and doesn't shy away from challenging the viewer. It is also a thoughtful film. It's moral is a powerful one, but it doesn't slam the viewer over the head with it, rather posing a question and allowing them to come to their own conclusion. It is also nice to see a film with a religious basis that is open to the viewer's religion. This film neither attacks christianity nor shoves it down the throats of the audience. Aronofsky (an atheist) is simply telling one of the oldest known stories in the best way he can. Not everybody will like this movie, but I believe its a film that should be seen by everybody who can handle it. And see it while it's in theaters, as it is such a big, visual film that this is the best format in which to see it. A
Noah tells the well known story of a man who is told by "The Creator" that the world will be destroyed and that he is responsible for saving the innocent beings, the animals, so that life can have a new chance. Russell Crowe plays the titular lead, and gives an incredibly powerful and intense performance. One really feels the weight of every decision he has to make, and it is easily Crowe's best performance since 2007's 3:10 to Yuma. Also in great form here is Jennifer Connelly, playing Noah's wife, who has a few scenes where she manages to elevate the role above that of being simply a "wife" role, especially in the film's third act. The rest of the performances are strong as well, with Logan Lerman, playing Noah's troubled son, and Ray Winstone, as the antagonist, giving especially strong performances.
When one realizes that Darren Aronofsky made this film they will no doubt be unsurprised that the visuals are amazing. The editing and cinematography are very unique and add to the film's engrossing atmosphere. As well, the score is fantastic. It feels somewhat similar to Clint Mansell's score for Aronofsky's The Fountain, but does differentiate itself, taking on a more epic, biblical feel.
The greatest thing about this film, though, is the fearlessness that went into it. Many people forget that the bible has a lot of really strange and fantastical elements to it, and Aronofsky and co. do not shy away from that even a little bit. The effects used to bring these elements to life are fantastic, and its fascinating to see how much they committed to telling this story in their own way.
This is not a film for everybody, though. As befitting a story from its source material it is an incredibly heavy story. While definitely engrossing and entertaining, many of the story elements, including the main climax, are extremely dark and intense, definitely to a point that will be uncomfortable for many. If you can handle this kind of material, however, Noah will prove to be a fully entertaining spectacle. It's one of the most beautiful films of the past several years, and the performers are all on top of their game.
It is truly mesmerizing that this film actually got made, but I'm glad it did as it is a film that fully commits to the task and scale before it, and doesn't shy away from challenging the viewer. It is also a thoughtful film. It's moral is a powerful one, but it doesn't slam the viewer over the head with it, rather posing a question and allowing them to come to their own conclusion. It is also nice to see a film with a religious basis that is open to the viewer's religion. This film neither attacks christianity nor shoves it down the throats of the audience. Aronofsky (an atheist) is simply telling one of the oldest known stories in the best way he can. Not everybody will like this movie, but I believe its a film that should be seen by everybody who can handle it. And see it while it's in theaters, as it is such a big, visual film that this is the best format in which to see it. A
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