Review of Child of God (2014) by Kevin M. W — 09 Aug 2014

Depressing director James Franco (yes, him) takes on the work of Cormac McCarthy with Child of God, a gritty and hellacious film about Appalachian Lester Ballad (Scott Haze - As I Lay Dying) who was orphaned at a young age and never adapted into civilized society.

Following the death of his father at the age of 9, Lester has been left on his own living off the land and scavenging whatever else is needed. Most likely having a mental disorder his parents weren't able to get diagnosed, Lester is a discarded piece of trash to most and his actions and mannerisms elevate him even lower than garbage at some points in the film.

The film is not for those easily disgusted as the depraved man does some rather despicable things (necrophilia anyone? ... seriously) and the film wears an audience down as Lester descends deeper and deeper into this horrid depravity -- all while the local police (Tim Blake Nelson - O Brother Where Art Thou?) knows not what to do with him.

The film is unnecessary but this is yet another attempt by Franco to get people to talk about him as he seems to be under the impression that HE is God's gift to just about everything/everybody. Child of God is a movie from hell.