Review of Elephant (2015) by Alexandra G — 15 Dec 2008

Is about the buildup to the Columbine school murders. Interesting at parts, but there are these looooooooong scenes where the camera is just following around the character who is just walking (literally). After a while I just fast forwarded through those scenes.

I might have rated this movie better a when it first came out. The movie relies 100% on shock value - but after the myriad of school shootings that has happened after this movie, especially the Virginia Tech one - it is not so shocking anymore. Instead of the long camera shots, why not explore the motivation of the killers? The motivation of the bullies? Anything to put it a bit more in perspective, to get into the head of the characters. Now the movie almost comes across as a bit dispassionate.