LA Movie Review- Noah

  

   Noah is a man chosen by God to see that the good in the world survives a forthcoming flood. To fulfill that responsibility Noah must build an ark, fend off armies, and make incredibly difficult moral decisions. Darren Aronofsky directs the film based on a screenplay that he co-wrote with Ari Handel.

   This is first and foremost Darren Aronofsky's film. Aronofsky takes creative control and he doesn't entirely follow the Noah story from the bible. Nor should he have. This is his take on the story and he does not need to limit the plot to what occurs on the pages. He expands on it, goes in different directions, and tells the story that he wanted to tell. The story he tells is very good. The way he tells the story places it on a massive scope, that you as an audience member feel from the beginning. He creates this strange and unfamiliar world that feels as though it exists outside of time. He fills it with things images and ideas you couldn't possibly imagine. His vision is unlike any recent biblical film.
   Noah contains the flavor of a war movie and even dips into the disaster film, making for a compelling drama, whose's tone is gritty and at times adventurous. All of that is blended into a film led by Russel Crowe.

   Russel Crowe is an immensely talented actor. He is given much to do in the role of Noah. He has to portray a father, a husband, and a defender. It isn't anything Crowe can't handle. He's terrific in the role of titular character. He is a man whose' faith is intact so much so, that he would do even the most unspeakable things for his creator. He's almost haunted by God and the responsibilities God has entrusted to him. Russel Crowe gives a great performance. Jennifer Connelly plays Noah's wife and she too is great in the film. You never doubt her because of what she brings to her performance. As Noah is in touch with God, his humanity fades in favor of the greater good. That's where Connelly adds to the film. She is the human side of Noah. She helps us connect to him because of how easy it is to connect with her character. Emma Watson is good in the film but she does take some adjusting too. When she first appears all you see is Emma Watson instead of the character. That all changes when her character arc is revealed, allowing you to buy into her as an important part of the film. Logan Lerman plays Noah's middle child, a character who has a sense of disconnect from his family. While at times selfish and cowardly, you always understand Lerman and the motivation for his actions. Ray Winstone plays the antagonist, a king who takes what he wants whenever he wants. The key to a good villain is that in their eyes they aren't a villain. This element is found in Winstone's character. Anthony Hopkins appears in a small but enjoyable role in the film as Noah's grandfather.
   The film is visually stunning. It was shot by cinematographer Matthew Libatique who also shot Black Swan and the first two Iron Man movies. The film's score has an epic feel to it, that was composed by one of my favorite composers, Clint Mansel. The screenplay by Ari Handel and Aronofsky is a compelling one. The writers flesh out each character and build toward moments with  weight and meaning. But there are moments where the film feels as though it loses its footing. Particularly between the first and second half of the film. The first focuses on the imminent flood while the second focuses especially on decisions of the family. The film is also quite long and doesn't end as strongly as it could have. The first half was more entertaining than the second half but the second half was more compelling than the first. That doesn't change the fact that Noah is a great film that was directed by a talented filmmaker.
4.3/5