Review of As I Lay Dying (2013) by Nizar E — 14 Dec 2013

If you didn't read the novel, don't ever judge about it before the end. It begins brutal, disgusting, emotionless .. anything. I guess it's one strictly faithful movie to its source. I have to respect the way of this adaption. James Franco choice was hard, brave and ambitious.

The long walk to bury their mother in the place she wanted, will expose a lot of stories hidden in that family, with love, jealousy, needing, and even hatred. It's simple, poor, guilty, drippy... yes, these are the properties needed to the characters. A contemplative slow-developing script in a lot of scenes. Well-use for the charming location to get a decent visual work. Although the split screen was so upsetting for me, I cannot stop admiring the editing, that strange idea to make you feel bad, really works! The southern accent is harsh and a bit complex. I think the music is sharp and over somehow, and I admit that I feel it mannered and that makes the audience lose their sympathies with the story.

I am glad I watched it, maybe it's not great, but students of filmmaking should watch it as faithful adaption, because This kind of movies cannot be commercial.