Review of First Reformed (2018) by Jeffrey P — 12 Oct 2018
Hawke is very good. I admire the writer's intent. But it's preachy (literally) and heavy-handed. The pastor's illness he is avoiding and won't treat is a metaphor for the earth that is so sick and almost beyond saving.
He says, "Wisdom is holding two contradictory truths in our mind simultaneously - Hope and despair. Holding these two ideas in our head is life itself." And he careens between despair to the point of suicide and mass murder, and then to love of a pregnant woman whose baby is the hope of the world.
Interesting ideas but the movie doesn't work, is hard to watch, and even though I agree with the climate science, I experienced the gag reflex here.
This review of First Reformed (2018) was written by Jeffrey P on 12 Oct 2018.
First Reformed has generally received positive reviews.
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