Review of Elephant (2003) by Declan B — 04 Aug 2009

Elephant had an amazing way of drawing me in event though it was low on dialogue, and had lots of long, enexplained tracking shots, although they make sense in conclusion. The fim never felt long even though it had a very slow pace, but it always kept me interested.

I really like this film, the soundtrack is very interesting with an amalgamtion of recognised songs and everyday noises enhanced so that you become aware of them. The setting of the film was also great and made you feel like the students had a good deal here, with a facility rich school and clean environment. The film has a very calm feel to it with a very fly on the wall feel into an everyday school. No overacting expressions or typical theatrics expected from most films.

I do not want to say too much abou the story as I did not know much abou this film and I think this helps in drawing you in. All I would say is that I find the film very clever with its message and it shines a light on how easy signs can be missed which build up to sometjhing so huge if left ignored.

Great execution and beautifully presented, with a subtle and everyday feel that builds to something very big and shocking but not suprising.