I just watch this in my experimental film class. It is interesting to look at and beautifully shot, but I'm not sure how I feel about it.
The cinematography is very nice although it is very slow moving and kind of bleak. I do understand, though, that he is going for a very dismal tone by only shooting in the winter and fall and by shooting in black and white. Also, the tone is very depressing and post-apocalyptic. Everything looks dead, structures are crumbling, and everyone is miserable. Also, all the takes are very long and I don't know if we actually see anyone talk on camera although there are voices heard.
A couple of things I really want to talk about here are the dogs scene and the preacher character. A lot of shots are interesting to look at and some concepts are really cool but these two specifically are integral to the story and the most memorable parts to me.
First, the preacher was a very interesting character. Here's this large man with glasses in a bald head who is a preacher but either doesn't preach or isn't able to actually reach out to anyone. Either way, it feels as if he's lost his faith and willingness to even be a preacher. What I'm intrigued by him the most is all of the things he does. He has a lot of interesting quirks and is just odd. For example, every time he sits down in his car he honks the horn because of his size. This happens frequently and nearly every time he's sitting. Also, I was intrigued by the inner monologue in his head justifying staying for several hours at a buffet and what he would say if someone tried to kick him out. Also, while driving he empties a carton of milk and fills it with liquor to drink while he's driving. This leads to him hitting Sam's dog. The most disturbing part about this is that Sam's dad scoops up the dog in a bag and throws it at his son's feet saying "You should've kept him on his chain" and then leaving the young boy to bury it. This was heartbreaking and kind of traumatic. It was definitely the most emotional scene in the film. Give it a watch because it's fairly interesting but know it is very slow moving.
First, the preacher was a very interesting character. Here's this large man with glasses in a bald head who is a preacher but either doesn't preach or isn't able to actually reach out to anyone. Either way, it feels as if he's lost his faith and willingness to even be a preacher. What I'm intrigued by him the most is all of the things he does. He has a lot of interesting quirks and is just odd. For example, every time he sits down in his car he honks the horn because of his size. This happens frequently and nearly every time he's sitting. Also, I was intrigued by the inner monologue in his head justifying staying for several hours at a buffet and what he would say if someone tried to kick him out. Also, while driving he empties a carton of milk and fills it with liquor to drink while he's driving. This leads to him hitting Sam's dog. The most disturbing part about this is that Sam's dad scoops up the dog in a bag and throws it at his son's feet saying "You should've kept him on his chain" and then leaving the young boy to bury it. This was heartbreaking and kind of traumatic. It was definitely the most emotional scene in the film. Give it a watch because it's fairly interesting but know it is very slow moving.