178. Master Gardener; movie review

 

MASTER GARDENER

Cert 15

111 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, brief sex

It might be said that director Paul Schrader is an acquired taste but the truth is that he is so off-the-wall that audiences never know what they are going to see.

In recent years, I have been a fan of the Card Counter and First Reformed but was dismayed by Dying Of The Light.

To be fair he loathed the editing of the latter so much, he made a public protest about it.

Anyway, he is back with a strange but intoxicating mix of prize pruning, crime and sex.

Master Gardener stars Joel Edgerton in the title role - in charge of the gardens in the grounds of a mansion.

His boss is a wealthy widow (Sigourney Weaver) who appears to be perpetually angry.

Thus, it is something of a surprise when she instructs him to take on her orphaned niece (Quintessa Swindell) as an apprentice.

It is even stranger that she should be so ghastly towards the young woman.

The past is a key element to Master Gardener and all three of its leads are burdened with it.

However, it may also hold the key to unburdening them from the metaphorical shackles that are holding them down.

Edgerton excels as the Master Gardener - his initial veil as an awkward horticulture nerd is soon lifted and we learn there is much more to him - indeed, an intriguing mix of sinister and caring.

But Schrader's film did not glean highest marks from me because it left too many unanswered questions.

Nevertheless, it is strange and alluring.

Reasons to watch: Strange but alluring

Reasons to avoid: Low on action

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? More than 3,500 private gardens are opening this year for charity in the UK as part of the National Garden Scheme which began in 1927.

The final word. Paul Schrader: “The outrageousness of having a Proud Boy find love was just too outrageous to pass up. This theme of American racism kept growing." Indiewire

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