Review of The Life Before Her Eyes (2007) by James S — 04 May 2009

I waited 2 hours in a rush line in order to see the world premiere of "In Bloom" at the Toronto International Film Festival, and I am so glad that I did. I didn't know much about the film at first, but the plot synopsis and cast convinced me to check it out.

After the first thrilling 5 minutes of the film, I knew I was in for a treat. The photography was visually breathtaking, the sound and score incredible, and the acting intensely realistic. The story is a very creative one, featuring flash-forwards meticulously and perfectly edited into the film.

The subject matter also makes this film incredibly important and powerful, tugging on every emotion within the viewer. Uma Thurman plays her role well as an adult overcome with guilt as her life falls apart.

However, the star of the film is indeed Evan Rachel Wood. She plays her role as an angst-ridden teenager, living her days before a school shooting, with incredible realism. Much of the film's realism and beauty comes from the screenwriter, who has incorporated metaphors and symbolism seamlessly into the story, while also writing incredibly powerful dialog.

The script is accompanied by cinematography and music that flow together gorgeously. The characters in the film state that "The heart is the body's strongest muscle." My heart certainly felt this way as it beat rapidly for the last 15 minutes or so of the film.

The suspense leads to a perfect finale that makes you reexamine the entire film. As the credits rolled, I was speechless. My heart continued to race, and I couldn't believe what an incredible film I had just seen.

"In Bloom" is truly an incredible piece of contemporary American cinema.