"Noah" Review

It's been years since i've picked up a bible, and i've never really been one to study it intently. But I received my elementary education in St. Joseph's Catholic School in Kingston. Now while I don't know all the details of the story, Noah's Ark was always my favorite. I can't explain why, but I always enjoyed hearing the story from Sister Dorothy or Father Frank.

Noah, descendant of Seth, sees a vision in a dream that God plans to flood the Earth to cleanse it. After a visit to his grandfather Methuselah, Noah discovers that the lord wants him to build an ark to save his family, and all the beasts that wander the Earth. However, the descendants of Cain led by Tubal-Cain seek to fight Noah and take the ark.

The film is from Darren Aronofsky, the visionary director behind Black Swan, The Wrestler, and Reqiuem for a Dream. Needless to say, expectations were high. The man is well known for his psychological elements that create thought provoking situations. He also has a tendency to elicit visceral performances from his actors. Here, he does not disappoint. The methods that God has for communicating with Noah have that classic cerebral Aronofsky touch which show that the director is firmly putting his stamp on this film. Given the fact the man is adapting a portion of the most famous book ever written which doesn't allow much room for creativity, it's rather impressive.

As I mentioned, I don't know all the small details of the biblical Noah, just the basics. So be they original  I was surprised by the amount of subplots that helped to sustain interest in the picture. It also helped to round out characters which contribute to Noah's story. The story is fully fleshed out, and even if you know exactly how it ends, there are enough plot lines to follow that keep you guessing,

I must also point out the dark tone of the film, which I admittedly have mixed feelings about. On the negative side, it feels at times unnecessary and intense. But to it's credit, it helps to elegantly illustrate the savagery of mankind prior to the flood, and justify why God saw it necessary to flood the earth with a cleansing flood. So I kinda call this one a wash.

I've never really been too much of a Russell Crowe fan. I very much enjoyed him in Gladiator,  but found him detrimental to Les Miserables. In his performance as Noah, he is very flat at times, but irradiates a gritty exterior which apparently is only skin deep. You have to appreciate his subtleties, and he is certainly not phoning it in, but all in all he turns in a rather average performance.

Jennifer Connelly is very raw in her role as Noah's wife. Bound by her sense of loyalty, she finds her limits tested. And true to her character, she has a line, and when she speaks her mind, it is mesmerizing.

The always wonderful Emma Watson is magnificent in the role, Ila, Noah's adopted daughter and lover to his son Shem. Her character has several obstacles thrust in her path, and she overcomes them with beautiful energy and a wonderfully conflicted mindset.

We also have the talents of Logan Lerman and Ray Winstone who act as opposing forces to Noah. They create a conflict outside of Noah's inner turmoil and nature struggle. It establishes two interesting conundrums which leave you in the dark about where it is heading to maintain interest. And as a boon, both men are excellent in their roles.

It may be a little too dark at times, but Noah is another fantastic addition to Darren Aronofsky's filmography. Give it a look.

A-