Review of Into the Abyss (2011) by Dean W — 24 Apr 2012
Werner Herzog seems to make films based on what catches his interest at the time. You have no way of knowing where he and his camera are going to wind up next, from the frozen depths of Antartica, to a cave in France, and now to Texas. All very different settings and pretexts for appearing there, but all with one purpose: To define what it means to be human.
This time the exploration centers around a triple homicide over a car.
The interesting twist on this film is Herzog's careful balancing of the facts of the murders, while at the same time offering condolences for one of the convicted who has been sentenced to death. He is not condoning the actions taken by the young man, but he also feels that no one should have the right to take another life.
While this view may be divisive for viewers, he doesn't allow it to overpower the people, all the people, who were effected by the tragedy.
It's a powerful piece of work, not to be taken lightly. It's not there to offer judgements, it's not there to condemn the american penal system. This film exists to show people being people when faced with the greatest loss they can face: Death. Be it their own, or a close loved one.
This review of Into the Abyss (2011) was written by Dean W on 24 Apr 2012.
Into the Abyss has generally received positive reviews.
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