307. The Forgiven; movie review

 

THE FORGIVEN

Cert 18

117 mins

BBFC advice: Contains drugs misuse

Apparently, The Forgiven's film festival screenings left critics 'confounded'.

I am wondering whether their senses had been dulled by the crash, bang, wallop of a never-ceasing diet of Marvel

Mrs W and I, constantly on the search for something different from cinema, found John Michael McDonagh's movie rather refreshing.

It also has the added bonus of a sparkling cast and some dramatic backdrops.

Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain play a strained couple who are en route across the Moroccan desert to a rather glamorous party.

En route, Fiennes' character becomes drunker and drunker despite having to drive in the dark and a high prospect of getting lost.

Then a terrible accident happens and the repercussions are deep and devastating.

Meanwhile, the flamboyant hosts (Matt Smith and Caleb Landry Jones) are holding a very upper-class evening.

The Forgiven looks great - with handsome sweeps over the desert and characters who are all pretty damned gorgeous.

A high-rate cast deliver a script which is splendidly spiky and punctuated with smart put-downs.

But it is moral conundrums and often surprising resolutions which make this a truly enjoyable movie.

If I write more I would spoil The Forgiven for those who, like us, knew nothing about it in advance.

Put simply, I would recommend it. 

Reasons to watch: Quality acting and intriguing plot

Reasons to avoid: Slow going

Laughs: One

Jumps: One

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? More than 50,000 Moroccans earn their living in mining, trading or exporting fossils and the industry itself is worth more than $40 million annually. 

The final word. Matt Smith: 'People say: ‘It’s about all these horrible people and aren’t they awful?’ But these people exist and isn’t it our duty and our responsibility to show them?" The Guardian

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