First Reformed

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric the Entertainer, Victoria Hill, Philip Ettinger, Michael Gaston, Bill Hoag
Directed by: Paul Schrader
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
2018

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A troubled minister (Ethan Hawke) struggles with his own demons while attempting to help a woman (Amanda Seyfried) cope with her husband's (Philip Ettinger) increasing obsession with climate change.

Review:

Tim: I really liked Paul Schrader's First Reformed. It's the kind of movie, though, that is intimidating to write about. How do I capture the range of emotions I experienced while watching this film? How do I sum up what I think about such a perplexing, potentially polarizing film? This movie is the kind that almost defies explanation, you just have to watch it, to experience it for yourself. What I can say is that even though it borrows heavily from other films, this still feels like a unique experience in its own right.

It's difficult for me to adequately summarize the plot. Sure, the basics are clear- a minister tries to help a couple. But this is a film that interweaves a meditation on faith and religion with climate change- not something I ever thought about, but it makes complete sense as this movie explores the concepts. The most moving, unforgettable line, which comes up repeatedly- "Can God forgive us for what we've done to the planet?" I actually loved the way faith and environmentalism came together in this film. That's not something you often see. While the environmental aspect takes a larger and larger role as the film progresses, the struggles with faith are always there, as an undercurrent. It really works exceptionally well here.

The human aspect of the story is fascinating as well, although there aren't many clear answers. I thought the entire cast did really well, which made a huge difference. Ethan Hawke is fantastic in the lead role. He's such a great actor, but I don't think he gets enough credit. He does so many of these smaller, under-the-radar type films. I thought his performance was Academy Award nomination worthy. It's a shame that didn't happen. He is relatable enough to make a connection with the audience and he shows a wide range of emotions while remaining somewhat impenetrable as a character. It's a really strong performance. I thought Amanda Seyfried was good, but there were a few moments where I didn't believe her performance. I've never been a huge fan of hers. I don't have a lot of complaints, though- most of what she does here works. It was great seeing Cedric the Entertainer in a serious, restrained role. He actually gave a great performance. He made a huge difference in the film and I walked away feeling so impressed with him. Victoria Hill was great in a smaller supporting role, and I always enjoy seeing Michael Gaston. I thought Philip Ettinger was okay, but his performance was a little forced. Still, the cast is quite strong- far better than you would think on paper.

I love that the story was so unexpected. There were a number of twists and turns that I didn't expect. It helped me to realize I had no idea where Schrader was trying to go with the film. It was fun to discover that as the movie went on. Most of the film is pretty easy to follow, however there's some deliciously ambiguous scenes towards the end. I like movies that make you sit up and ask, "Wait, what is happening right now?" There's two scenes that especially do that, including the last scene of the movie. The film ends leaving a lot up to interpretation, which felt appropriate. This movie gave me a lot to think about after it ended.

I'd stop short of calling First Reformed a great movie, but it gets pretty close. It's an unconventional, complex, challenging film that isn't afraid to defy expectations. It features some strong performances, good directing, and an Academy Award nominated script for best Original Screenplay. It's not quite one of the best movies of 2018, but it's one of the most memorable.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Diary of a Country Priest, Affliction