Review of The Arbor (2010) by Daniel M — 28 Oct 2010
Well, first up this film is quite staggeringly depressing. If it was fictional it would be depressing. It's real, a documentary based around interviews with many of the key protagonists. The sound from the interviews is used in conjunction with visuals of actors lip-synching to create a compelling and thoroughly honest blend of authentic content and cinematic pacing.
As a technical achievement and an exercise in documentary making, it's extremely high quality and it does grip like a vice. It's depressing because the true story being told is the archetype of inner-city dysfunctionality pushed to it's extreme.
As trauma is piled on tragedy and ineptitude and neglect take their toll, we almost can't believe things can get any worse. I kept expecting an upturn or redemption of some sort but was kept waiting.
This review of The Arbor (2010) was written by Daniel M on 28 Oct 2010.
The Arbor has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
