Review of Simon Magus (1999) by Cary C — 28 Sep 2008

A little known gem, beautifully filmed, acted and scored. An emotional rollercoaster that reduces me almost to stifled sobbing tears every time. Worth watching for the final two or three astonishing minutes alone. Tragic beauty full of symbolism, a work about prejudice of several kinds, primarily about poor Simon - he who adapts to rejection by creating bizarre little ways to get his own back and arouse supersitious fear. Beneath all that posturing is a good heart, but will his people be wise enough to see it?

Highly recommended if you like the unusual. The film speed is pushed and flickers at times to great atmospheric effect too, so it is definitely an artistic creation to be admired. In amongst it all is Rutger Hauer's most profound role since Blade Runner and Ian Holms is at his most unnerving since going robot on Ripley in Alien!