Review of First Reformed (2018) by Ginak — 31 May 2018

I have to be careful not to give away the plot of “First Reformed” since the “journey of the soul” of the Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is the plot. That is not to say that you have to be religious to enjoy this film.

The character study is engrossing even if you aren’t a religious person at all. To say that Toller is in despair is an understatement and this is made worse by one of his parishioners, an environmentalist, who commits suicide in despair about his ability to help the environment just as Toller seems to feel he is not helping anyone, including himself.

The former parishioner also leaves Toller the means to kill himself and make his own statement. Toller makes a tough choice, and I won’t reveal what it is, but I think you will be moved by this powerful film and the deeply felt character brought to life by Ethan Hawke.