Review of Undertow (2004) by Mjs M — 23 Mar 2008
David Gordon Green?s third film, this got more mixed reviews than his first two, and for good reason. The film starts out as a look at a family, but after an out of place scene of violence, the film turns into something of homage to Night of the Hunter.
I didn?t believe the motivations of the main characters, why they don?t just go to the police is something of a mystery. Here, Green embraces the film?s southern setting more than before, this is his first film that could be called ?southern gothic.
? Green was clearly trying to depart from his normal style, but did sort of a half assed job of it. The film tries to be more of a narrative experience, but Green often falls back on his old Malick-esque style, I think it would have been better if he just stuck to his old style rather than making this mishmash.
The editing is different at best, amateurish at worst. Tim Orr?s cinematography is as good as usual, but to what end. This film is an oddity and something of a mess. I?ll give it credit for not being predictable, but for the most part it?s a failure.
This review of Undertow (2004) was written by Mjs M on 23 Mar 2008.
Undertow has generally received positive reviews.
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