Rent Seraphim Falls (2006)

Drawn out - Seraphim Falls review by CP Customer

I felt a bit cheated at the end of this film of having wasted 2 hours of my life. It wasn't that bad, but it was so drawn out when some sharper editing would have made it more watchable. It was a long time getting to the point of why Liam Neeson was hunting down Pierce Brosnan, by which time I had lost interest.

Revisionist Western (spoiler) - Seraphim Falls review by Steve

Allegorical revenge western set after the US Civil War, with Liam Neeson relentlessly/ruthlessly hunting Pierce Brosnan from the frozen peaks of Oregon all the way down to Death Valley, California- where they reference the famous climax of Greed (1924). An internet search informs that a Seraph is the highest of the Christian angels...

So the title gives us the symbolism. Though this is actually the main weakness, especially in the closing moments when Angelica Huston turns up in a gypsy wagon to beat us over the head with it. This is best as a simple revenge story with strong performances, primarily from Brosnan, barely recognisable under the facial hair.

And it's a survivalist western too as the quarry must take extreme measures to stay alive, particularly in the subzero mountains. The scene where Brosnan removes a bullet from his arm with his trusty old knife is hard to watch, and the visceral horror of what it takes to cling on offsets the literary pretentiousness.

The spectacular, almost palpable photography across many states creates a sort of mythic arena for the deadly pursuit. Until the escalating consequences of their hostility drives the two men into a state of degradation. This is all derivative, but usually of interesting films, and the Irish leads give it some potent star wattage.