Hi everyone!
No Takeover Tuesday this week, so I decided to check out a film nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, and like most movies from last year, also likely robbed of more nominations. I’ll let you know my thoughts in a little bit, but you can check out our other reviews for Oscar nominees using #Oscars2019 or using the Oscars 2019 blog tag at onemoviepunch.com.
And now...
Today’s movie is “First Reformed” (2017), the A24 distributed drama written and directed by Paul Schrader. The film follows the life of Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke), who is pastor of a small church congregation getting ready for its 250thyear, while struggling with problems of his own. However, when he is asked to meet with a parishioner recently returned to town, his life and his faith are upset in disturbing ways.
No spoilers.
I saw this film come and go from the theaters last year, followed by a smattering of reviews giving it high praise and proclaiming that it was another surefire Oscar contender from A24. I definitely wanted to see it, but between limited availability and being hella busy with the podcast, I couldn’t make it work. I was excited when it finally came to Amazon Prime, and I’ve come to two quick conclusions. The first is that everyone who said this film should have been an Oscar contender is correct, and I’m talking more than the Best Original Screenplay nomination. The second is that despite the limited love from The Academy, I think this film will go down as one of the more important films of our time. I actually think I need to revise my Top 10 list from 2018 because of it. Sorry, Szukalski!
As you can tell, “First Reformed” really struck a chord within me, and it was struck early on when Rev. Toller is sitting down with Michael (Philip Ettinger), an overtly depressed radical environmentalist. Michael presents a stack of scientific facts and reports about the threat posed by climate change, while Rev. Toller tries to help him see the good in the world. I have their discussion with myself at least once a day. In a very real way, Toller and Michael represent my own scientific and spiritual sides, in constant argument with one another, as they often are within the public sphere. I want the truth of the former and the hope of the latter, but with each passing day, the gap between those two widens. And much like when I argue with myself, both characters know and accept the truth of the world as it is, and feel powerless to change things within the power structures as they exist. That social impotence is fertile ground for extremism of all forms, which are explored throughout the film.
Paul Schrader is to be commended for how well he weaves these multiple themes together, not just in the dialogue, but within the structure of the story itself. Ethan Hawke’s performance of Rev. Toller is quite great, easily one of his best performances ever. The supporting cast, including Michael’s pregnant girlfriend Mary (Amanda Seyfried), and Rev. Toller’s mentor in the church Jeffers (Cedric the Entertainer), both work well to accentuate and amplify the internal conflicts of Rev. Toller. The film is absolutely incredible for the first two-thirds, and then as we’re heading towards the final conflict, Schrader pulls the audience in a few surreal directions, and then everything just ends abruptly, a jarring grace note for an otherwise tense, yet contemplative drama.
“First Reformed” (2017) is a tough look at the need for hope in the face of destruction, and the difficulties of fighting against overbearing power structures. Paul Schrader’s excellent script is brought to life mostly well through his direction, an excellent performance by Hawke, and a great supporting cast. It’s probably the best look into understanding why people choose extremism since I read “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid, and for that alone, I would recommend the film to anyone who might not understand why people become radicalized. I would also recommend the film to anyone who struggles with balancing science and faith as well.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (CERTIFIED FRESH)
Metacritic: 85 (MUST SEE)
One Movie Punch: 8.5/10
“First Reformed” (2017) is rated Rand is currently playing on Amazon Prime and Kanopy.
