Several recent films have covered the theme of challenging religious dogma, or God, to justify what happens in the world. This one is notable for strong performances from Aidan Quinn, Ahtony LaPaglia (the best, I agree) and Courteney Cox (why can't so many people spell her first name correctly?), and in some smaller parts, and an interesting idea, already covered in other reviews. But the ending is perplexing. Are we to suppose that, having tested Seth Warner (Quinn) to the utmost, God relents and performs a miracle (and it has to be - no one could survive in a whale's stomach, even if he had survived the fall into a raging sea)to let him live again? But, while along the way a possible reason for the death of his wife is given (she has cheated on him with the LaPaglia character), none is offered for why he should be further afflicted. Though described as containing comedy, I saw little to laugh at except the richly sardonic commentary by the LaPaglia character.
Review of Commandments
