NOAH (2014) I can probably skip the plot synopsis, right? Maybe not. Myth, religion, legend - all are endlessly retold, and always purposed to the tellers ends. Darren Aronofskys vision of the famous Flood story is no different, though his subversive bent insures this Flood story only shares superficial ties to overtly proselytizing Bible epics. In Aronofskys version of the antediluvian era, the descendants of Cain, led by the storys Big Bad, Tubal-Cain, have strip-mined their way across the world. In one of the films many astonishing visual sequences, we view a time-lapse of the Earth as Tubal-Cains proto-industrialization sweeps across whole continents, leaving them blackened cesspools. The film never gets caught up in the specifics in this era of legend, but its interesting to note that what theyre mining is zohar, a sort of magical gold that befits this era of magic. Other magical elements are more overt: the shambling, deformed rock giants who play a major role. Still others more subtle: the blessing bestowed by Methuselah (portrayed with sly kindness by Anthony Hopkins), which I wont spoil here. While Cains men despoil the world, Noah (Russell Crowe) and family live out a more idyllic existence, subsisting respectfully off the land. They definitively dont eat meat, and are saddened when Tubal-Cains hunters (think Road Warrior marauders) kill an animal. Of interest is the fact that the animal seems to have fur, scales, and even feathers - a sort of magical progenitor to many animals, clearly, and explanation as to how the Ark can fit two of everything that existed at the time. And while that might be a page from the creationist handbook, the films critique of industrialization gone awry, coupled with its vegetarian hero, is just as likely to rankle the faithful. I, however, immediately liked its unusual approach. Ive never seen a Biblical epic with a modern, progressive agenda, and the spare but beautiful vistas brought the legendary era to life as Id never seen before. Granted, its rather silly when Russells Crowes Noah sometimes kicks some ass when Cains thugs are around, but theres no denying Aronofsky keeps things interesting. The second half gets even more radical: Noahs fatherly wisdom gives way to a monomaniacal fervor. The seemingly pure villain of Cain rants against God rather reasonably. And a stunning rendition of the week-long creation of the world overtly weds the Bible with evolution. When alls said and done, however, I was left scratching my head a bit at Aronofskys intent. If he wants to sell us on a God who righteously flooded the earth because of mans obsession with war and industrial overkill, why then portray God (and Noah) so ambiguously? The themes get a bit muddied and that, along with a few other missteps (one overly Lord of the Rings battle sequence, Hams interesting but muddying side story, a few slow sequences) left me vaguely disappointed after my initial surge of enthusiasm. And yet, the great moments have stayed with me. The same for its ambition. Even subverting its own environmental undercurrents is at least interesting: is the seeming cruelty of God and Noah meant to mirror cruel steps Aronofsky feels must be nevertheless taken? Its telling that Im thinking of buying it, but objectively Ill give it: 3.5 out of 5 (with anticipation that a revisit will either drop it to 3 or raise it to 4)
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 04:42:04 +0000
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