Before I begin, I feel I must say that I did in fact read the book before one set of this movie was built, so this review isn't coming from some angry idiot who merely jumped into this expecting a full-throttle action packed apocalypto thriller. And it has to be said, I didn't dislike this movie because I just "didn't get it" because I didn't care for the book either and it's hard to believe that I simply misunderstood a story translated into two different mediums, both times.
This directionless movie insists up itself so much that it's hard to find a discernible plot or point other than McCarthy's immense fear of his own mortality. As well as his own suffocating love for his youngest son in real life. You're beaten over the head with how much The Man loves The Boy to the point that you just don't care any more. And then you ask yourself, if this man truly loves his son so much, why not just put him out of his misery? Why prolong his suffering and his inevitable, early death? Wouldn't any parent who loves their child do anything to prevent their child from the horrors of a 'dying earth?'
I honestly can't understand where all this praise is coming from. I've heard people use terms like "enthralling, incredible, awestruck, heartbreaking" etc. My only question is, 'What are you smoking...and where can I get some?" The Road is about as bleak and desolate as an abandoned highway, and about as interesting as one too. Nothing of note happens, not once. I didn't care about any of the characters. McCarthy never tells us what this cataclysm was, what will happen or why. We don't even get hints. Someone earlier told me that even if I didn't like it, it probably at the very least changed the way I think. Think about what? Long, drawn out, solemn, "contemplative" movies? Or life altogether? Although I can say one thing, after seeing this, I was depressed for weeks. So there was a change in my mood for sure.
Again, we're never told what this "event" was so what we're left with is a story about a boy and his father. And that's it. But then, why in a post-apocalyptic world? This could've happened anywhere. Why not have them get stuck in the wilderness, or on an island after a plane crash? I suppose to enjoy this movie, you have to be satisfied with the father/son storyline with little concern for the "How did we get here?" But then, the whole concept is still just as contrived and unbelievable as anything ever was because then all the plot boils down to is bleak, emptiness devoid without reason. A man cared for his son - what else is new? He didn't do anything more than any dad would do - what's so special about that? I've also been told that to really understand it, you have to have children. I call bs on both excuses, that's the same as saying you can't enjoy/understand "Schindler's List" unless you're Jewish. Simply untrue.
Perhaps it's my already overly pessimistic outlook on life, however there was no reason to keep going, 'The Man' already called it a "dying earth." I'm sorry but, 'carrying the fire inside you' is just not enough motivation for me, nor is it enough to make me believe that a man would subject the child he so dearly loves (or himself for that matter) to all that horror instead of ending their lives.
This movie makes no sense whatsoever and absolutely should not have been made. For so very many reasons, but at least stay away from it for its disingenuous, implausible Deus Ex Machina ending.
This directionless movie insists up itself so much that it's hard to find a discernible plot or point other than McCarthy's immense fear of his own mortality. As well as his own suffocating love for his youngest son in real life. You're beaten over the head with how much The Man loves The Boy to the point that you just don't care any more. And then you ask yourself, if this man truly loves his son so much, why not just put him out of his misery? Why prolong his suffering and his inevitable, early death? Wouldn't any parent who loves their child do anything to prevent their child from the horrors of a 'dying earth?'
I honestly can't understand where all this praise is coming from. I've heard people use terms like "enthralling, incredible, awestruck, heartbreaking" etc. My only question is, 'What are you smoking...and where can I get some?" The Road is about as bleak and desolate as an abandoned highway, and about as interesting as one too. Nothing of note happens, not once. I didn't care about any of the characters. McCarthy never tells us what this cataclysm was, what will happen or why. We don't even get hints. Someone earlier told me that even if I didn't like it, it probably at the very least changed the way I think. Think about what? Long, drawn out, solemn, "contemplative" movies? Or life altogether? Although I can say one thing, after seeing this, I was depressed for weeks. So there was a change in my mood for sure.
Again, we're never told what this "event" was so what we're left with is a story about a boy and his father. And that's it. But then, why in a post-apocalyptic world? This could've happened anywhere. Why not have them get stuck in the wilderness, or on an island after a plane crash? I suppose to enjoy this movie, you have to be satisfied with the father/son storyline with little concern for the "How did we get here?" But then, the whole concept is still just as contrived and unbelievable as anything ever was because then all the plot boils down to is bleak, emptiness devoid without reason. A man cared for his son - what else is new? He didn't do anything more than any dad would do - what's so special about that? I've also been told that to really understand it, you have to have children. I call bs on both excuses, that's the same as saying you can't enjoy/understand "Schindler's List" unless you're Jewish. Simply untrue.
Perhaps it's my already overly pessimistic outlook on life, however there was no reason to keep going, 'The Man' already called it a "dying earth." I'm sorry but, 'carrying the fire inside you' is just not enough motivation for me, nor is it enough to make me believe that a man would subject the child he so dearly loves (or himself for that matter) to all that horror instead of ending their lives.
This movie makes no sense whatsoever and absolutely should not have been made. For so very many reasons, but at least stay away from it for its disingenuous, implausible Deus Ex Machina ending.