I didnt love the film Noah but unlike most of the posts Im seeing, I didnt hate it either. I went into it knowing that it was going to be someones (a filmmaker that was raised Jewish and now leans toward atheism) view and artistic representation of their thoughts on the biblical text. Ive actually been more surprised by critics of the film pointing out things they disliked or were offended by, that is in the actual text (ie. Noah being drunk with wine and naked). The text of Noahs story is quite short in The Old Testmant. Anyone taking on the challenge of fleshing out the story was going to be forced to fill in the gaps with their interpretation of the text. Aronofsky does that and then some which has been the source of most of the condemnation of the film. Returning to the Old Testament text, I see where someone without the faith that I hold, could come to the conclusions that he did. Did he take it too far? Yes. He let his imagination run wild, which led from giants being mentioned in the text, to giant rock monsters formed from fallen angels. This is where most of my problems are. Im fine with those creatures existing in his interpretation, but to force an unnecessary back story for said giants was just forced. Many take issue with the representation with the man himself, Noah. This is where I was most intrigued by the film and why I chose to see it and do not regret doing so. In the past, my study of the scriptures and the people therein, was so black and white. Laman and Lemuel were bad, with no redeemable qualities. Nephi was perfect, in which a young boy with so many flaws as I was, could not relate to. As Ive grown over the years and especially in my study this past year in seminary, Ive learned that if we believe these books to be true and these people we read about to have REALLY lived, we need to treat them that way. This is why I appreciated seeing someones idea of the prophet Noah. An idea that I do not agree with, but a thought provoking idea nonetheless. Was Noah perfect? What would it be like to be the prophet and to see the destruction of the world? How would this effect you and your family? etc. This film is dark. Its depressing. But why would we expect a movie depicting the earth needing to be cleansed by water to the destruction of everyone save one family, because of so much violence and wickedness, to be anything else? So great was this evil, that the Lord Himself repented that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. As a movie I found it to be beautifully shot. The acting is solid with Crowe being the obvious standout along with Anthony Hopkins who brings some sorely needed levity. Emma Watson and Jennifer Connely are both great but at a certain point in the film, they are at an 11 acting wise and it the sobs and screaming become numbing. The score, Braden Ellis, is good though there isnt any memorable theme. I do remember noticing that in a film that could have used something uplifting, it did not. The effects were huge and except for the rock monsters, never took me out of the film. Noah is a weird film in general but also in that I would neither encourage or discourage anyone from seeing it. Know what you are getting into. Read the text and then if you choose to see it, discuss why Aronofsky may have made the artistic decisions that he made.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:16:02 +0000
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