"Seraphim Falls" is a western of sorts starring Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan set in the mountains, valleys, and deserts of the West after the Civil War. Neeson plays Carver and has hired men to help him track down and kill Brosnan's character, Gideon.
What intrigued me about this film was that it was action-packed without letting the audience know why Carver wants Gideon, a renowned captain from the war, so badly until nearly the end of the film. There is also very little dialog throughout the film which allowed the action to drive the plot.
The scenery is a character in itself as the story starts in the snowy mountains and then progresses to the valley below, and eventually they end up in the desert. Besides moving the story forward, the scenery added beauty to offset the violence within the film.
I was concerned in the beginning of the film that two Irish men wouldn't be able to pull off playing the American cowboy, but they both were convincing and captivating. Brosnan, in particular, showed a depth he possessed as an actor that he hadn't shown much of before. I hope he continues to pick roles like this that allow him to show the audience what he can do.
Typically, I am not a fan of the Western genre. They always seemed predictable, a little cheesy, and had music scores that drove me up the wall. Perhaps it is because I had the notion that "Seraphim Falls" was going to fall into the same pitfalls that I was so surprised to discover it was actually a very good film.
While it is a revenge story set in the West, "Seraphim Falls" has two main characters that are flawed in their own ways. The lack of dialog and plot explanation keeps the film unpredictable, and the score is beautiful without overpowering the story. It even has touching, dramatic moments that may surprise you, none of which that are cheesy.
Other supporting roles are played by Anjelica Huston, Michael Wincott, and Wes Studi. Huston plays a snake oil saleswoman in the desert who offers aid to the main characters for a price. Studi plays an enigmatic Native American guarding a small pool of water. Both of these characters add a bit of mysticism and light-heartedness to an otherwise straight-forward and serious film.
Director and co-writer, David Von Ancken, made his feature film debut with "Seraphim Falls," although he is a veteran TV director. Von Ancken teamed up with cinematographer John Toll, whose previous work includes "The Last Samurai" and "Legends of the Fall," to create the look of this film. The composer is Harry Gregson-Williams, who also composed for the "Shrek" films and "The Chronicles of Narnia" to name a few.
For an action-packed Western that has characters with a depth rarely seen within the genre, check out "Seraphim Falls" on DVD. You can find it in the new releases section of your local store.
Tip of the Week: Pay attention to which companies make the films you enjoy. Typically, if you like one film they have made, you are likely to enjoy others as well. The production company will be listed on the DVD cover, sometimes even on the spine for easy recognition.
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'Seraphim Falls' an uncommonly deep Western
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