If possible, please leave criticism in your comments so that I can improve!!
If possible, please leave criticism in your comments so that I can improve!!
Member since:28.05.2003
Reviews:63
Members who trust:12
I cannot remember where I first heard about this film, or what attracted me to it, but I remember thinking that I really wanted to see it. When I did get around to buying the DVD and watching it, I was not disappointed. The film starts with a long credit sequence, with the view just showing some telephone wires and fast moving clouds behind. I'm not sure if this has an imagery significance, but it means straight away you know it's going to be a fairly artsy film - whether that's a good thing or a bad thing I will leave up to you to decide. This film shows very different pupils at an american high school going about a normal day, and shows how they bump into each other and their lives collide throughout that day (until you realise you are seeing the same section of time over and over from different people's perspectives you can be mistaken thinking that the same thing is happening over and over). I'm sure you know that this film is about high school shootings, so obviously the film culminates in that, but it is interesting to see how each stereotype of student deals with a traumatic end to their life - whether they beg, panic, fight, run, or go catatonic. It's also interesting to see the killers before they start their assault, back at home, and to see the days they experience leading up to the massacre, showing what drove them to do it. Very thought provoking, makes you think about how you treat others and how much they take it to heart. Also interesting to see how the killers feel about carrying out the task they have extensively planned for some time. This thought provocation is probably the film's strongest point.
One might expect this film to be very hollywood - lots of heroism, gunfire, explosions, fast paced etc. It is anything but. A great deal of the film is simply a camera following someone walking, or sitting in a room by themselves, so one might find it tedious to watch at points, waiting for the next 'good bit' to come. I guess all this is included to give it a sense of realism - people do actually have to travel places, but in mainstream films most of this is not shown! There is gunfire, and explosions, from the munitions the killers have. However, when they do use their automatic guns, it is not anything like in hollywood films.. it just seems more real and horrifying, they only fire short bursts so each bullet is coldly calculated for.
The extras on this DVD are few, just an interview with Gus Van Saint, the director, and an 'on the set' feature. The interview was very interesting - seeing it helps you understand exactly what he was trying to create in some of the scenes, and what he was going for overall. On The Set isn't very interesting, as it's filmed in a high school, with very little extra effect, so there's not much to it!
I would definitely recommend this film to anyone with an open mind, but is perhaps not suitable for an evening entertainment with a bunch of friends, perhaps more suited to quiet contemplation on one's own.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
I found this to be too much like other films of a similar vein - Great review though!
mental_infestation 21.01.2006 17:08
After writing essays and looking up as much information as I could on the Columbine School Shootings, I developed an interest in what and why these kids are driven to do such a horrible thing as to shoot teachers and fellow students. I watched Bowling for Columbine and found that very interesting, but was told to watch this film also. I bought it cheap, and sold it almost straight after watching it. I like obscure films, and I have an interest in this topic, but this has to be one of the most boring films I've ever watched. But then I think Gus Van Sant is one of the most boring film directors. I don't think they're arty, just rather dull. Each to their own I guess. Good review though :-)
Soho_Black 19.01.2006 17:05
Thanks for letting me know about the update. Re-Rated as promised.
Elephant, the elegant and unsettling movie from Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho,Good ... more
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Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Elephant, the elegant and unsettling movie from Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho,Good ... more
Will Hunting), depicts students at a high school before and during a harrowing, Columbine-style shooting. The movie follows one young boy who takes over the wheel f...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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and Best Director prizes at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. Shooting on location in an everyday American High school, with a cast primarily made up of students from...
![Elephant [DVD] [2004]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78512281.jpg "Elephant [DVD] [2004]")
Jan 13th, 2006
(Jan 25th, 2006)
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