The man who wrote Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, and directed American Gigolo and First Reformed is back with another film that fits his awkward yet fascinating style. This is a story about atonement and redemption which struggles with its premise but hits hard when it lands. Master Gardener is a slow burn that almost fizzles out only to ignite sparks every now and then.
Schrader employs a very practical approach to story telling here, moving from plot point to plot point, introducing characters one by one and having them speak their points of view quite plainly. In someways it feels as if it was written for the stage but also feels plodding. But his intense moments almost come from nowhere surprising us with a rather jarring power. When Edgerton's clothes come off (literally and figuratively) its a bit of a gut punch (I won't spoil it even if maybe the trailers do). When Weaver goes from 0 - 60 in her rage it takes us aback. When Swindell 180s from fear to sexual desire it is disquieting. All of it feels designed to lull us into a sense of security then pull the rug out from underneath us.
And mostly that worked for me. Some of the step by step nature pulled me out of the film but I was always brought back in. I appreciated that I was taken off guard a number of times. But the biggest piece I struggled with is how the film never quite resolves the redemption of the main character. So much of that journey was in the past, of screen. He refers to being a "different person" or "somebody else" and it's only the traces of his former self we deal with. Therefore sometimes it feels like pieces are missing from this journey.
Master Gardener is off putting for sure with moments of intense and fascinating emotion but a lot of missing moments.
Master Gardener
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Quitessa Swindell, Esai Morales
Writer/Director: Paul Schrader
No comments:
Post a Comment