Review of The Sweet Hereafter (1997) by Zane U — 24 Mar 2008

I found myself really enjoying this movie. My attention did not shift, my thoughts did not wander although it seems like a movie where that may happen. The Sweet Hereafter tells the story of a town awash with grief after a school bus "accident" kills a significant number of the town's children.

It is told mostly from the point of view of a lawyer as he approaches the various family's in hopes of persuading them to file a major lawsuit against the manufacturers of the bus. The characters in The Sweet Hereafter were complex and real which was both refreshing and a problem.

Real, complex people are difficult to understand. Thusly, although I understood the movie, I found myself unsure what was going on amongst the characters as silent battles were waged and seemingly rash actions were taken.

I would venture to guess that upon a second viewing (if I get the chance, it's not exactly a Spielberg movie in terms of wide popularity...) I will come away with a better understanding of the nuances and intricacies of the characters that provide for the film's focus.