Review of Savage Grace (2007) by Piotr W — 20 Apr 2009

Oh, how wonderful actress has Julianne Moore become. Savage Grace is her juiciest role to date and shows her talents in the best possible way. Director Tom Kalin knows to how build tension a little by little and he also knows how to do it elegantly.

As the disturbing mother and son relationship goes into darker territories, director Kalin just do not hit a false note. This is film that has odd magical charm in it that holds your attention from the very beginning into the final shocking moments.

It takes a true talent to handle this kind of material and still not go over the top and Tom Kalin is just that rare kind of director who knows how to balance between different emotions. This is one hell of a thriller.

It has that same visual power and edginess that best films from Pedro Almodova has. It may lack the final punch and the variety of Almodovar, but still this is effective stuff.