SERAPHIM FALLS/ Dir. David Von Ancken. 2007

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Gripping quarry and pursuit movie for landscape junkies. Quality cinematography and direction keep the tension going throughout the lengthy chase after Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) by Carver (Liam Neeson) and his men. Starting high in snow covered mountains, the relentless hunt continues downriver as Gideon evades his pursuers, determined to survive not only them, but an embedded bullet, freezing, near drowning, starvation and thirst. He comes up with some ingenious but brutal survival techniques. The squeamish may need to look away at times; the camera spares no detail in this visceral and thrilling adventure.

However, when Gideon gets down to a dried up riverbed in an arid landscape, (which looks like seasonal confusion, but is possibly symbolic) the story dries up too. There are some surreal references to Eastwood’s classic ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ in the inexplicable appearance of a medicine seller and a wise Indian in the desert which are plain silly. Possible nods to Josey Wales include the motive for revenge and the former relationship between the two men, which are either an homage, or cheeky, hard to tell, although Seraphim Falls lacks the characterization, humour and charm, the relationships and humanity of Josey Wales.

Often the case with films made in the US, the dialogue is a mystery. Usually it’s because of mumbling with face turned away from camera but here, it seems to be the wadding in Brosnan’s cheeks combined with his American accent and breathy growling. But he IS very cold, he’s in pain and probably getting tired and quite cross. Other actors are also near incoherent, so it’s time the US movie industry smartens up its act for worldwide distribution, or uses sub-titles.

Enjoy the scenery and don’t worry about the story and it looks pretty good. Only the last twenty minutes of supposed angel/devil visitation stuff is daft but the first eighty minutes is superb, stylish and memorable.

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