The wonderful thing about Nicolas Cage is that he throws himself into the role, good or bad, 100%. Which is exactly what a movie like this needs of its leading man, who is on screen almost the entire film. Therefore, if you're willing to watch Cage ham it up with reckless abandon in this remake of the 70s cult thriller, then you're in for an enjoyable experience.
Eerie in a way that movies now a day just aren't, The Wicker Man uses the most of all the production devices at its disposal. Sets and surroundings are surreally bizarre; the musical score is creepy and uncomfortable, and the costumes are unsettling and sometimes disturbing. It figures that a stage director like LaBute would find inspiration in all these cinematic devices, as they are equally, if not more important to the stage work world he comes from.
However, without the smoke and mirrors of the production crew, the plot is rather thin and develops at a snail's pace. In true seventies fashion, the film is more character driven and unconcerned about delivering a definitive beginning, middle and end story arc that wraps up nicely. It's more about Cage's character's journey and how he deals with the situations he finds himself in.
As the film progresses, the situations seem more and more bizarre, yet answers fail to come, and as an audience member it can prove to be frustrating. However, Cage's performance and LaBute's direction, propped up by a great supportive cast, compels you to watch it. The island Cage finds himself on, investigating a missing child, is just slightly unlike the rest of the world. The sense is that we're watching an Amish community based on the principles of a beehive. Burstyn's queen bee performance is every bit as powerful as her turn in Requiem for a Dream (why isn't this woman working more often?) and the supporting females are the most unlikely bunch of femme fatales yet every bit as menacing.
The film plods along and requires the audience's trust, as we are often as much in the dark as Cage is. The twist ending is a slight shock, but probably not as much as it was 30 years ago. Yet it was interesting enough to give this film a slight recommendation, though i do realize it isn't for everyone's taste, especially those who like their films quick and tidy.
Grade: B
Eerie in a way that movies now a day just aren't, The Wicker Man uses the most of all the production devices at its disposal. Sets and surroundings are surreally bizarre; the musical score is creepy and uncomfortable, and the costumes are unsettling and sometimes disturbing. It figures that a stage director like LaBute would find inspiration in all these cinematic devices, as they are equally, if not more important to the stage work world he comes from.
However, without the smoke and mirrors of the production crew, the plot is rather thin and develops at a snail's pace. In true seventies fashion, the film is more character driven and unconcerned about delivering a definitive beginning, middle and end story arc that wraps up nicely. It's more about Cage's character's journey and how he deals with the situations he finds himself in.
As the film progresses, the situations seem more and more bizarre, yet answers fail to come, and as an audience member it can prove to be frustrating. However, Cage's performance and LaBute's direction, propped up by a great supportive cast, compels you to watch it. The island Cage finds himself on, investigating a missing child, is just slightly unlike the rest of the world. The sense is that we're watching an Amish community based on the principles of a beehive. Burstyn's queen bee performance is every bit as powerful as her turn in Requiem for a Dream (why isn't this woman working more often?) and the supporting females are the most unlikely bunch of femme fatales yet every bit as menacing.
The film plods along and requires the audience's trust, as we are often as much in the dark as Cage is. The twist ending is a slight shock, but probably not as much as it was 30 years ago. Yet it was interesting enough to give this film a slight recommendation, though i do realize it isn't for everyone's taste, especially those who like their films quick and tidy.
Grade: B