God's Creatures

God's Creatures has an atmospheric setting and a great cast. But one huge flaw in the script fatally holes this ship below the waterline.

Brian returns from an extended sojourn to Australia and his mother Aileen is overjoyed. In fact, she is so happy that she fails to consider why her prodigal son was considered prodigal in the first place. In the scene where Brian appears, it is pointed out that he made no contact while in Australia, and no one even knew what city or town he was in.

Now, that is fine for that scene, but the question of what Brian did during his time in Australia is never re-visited. He meets old schoolmates, a bartender who is enamoured with him, but absolutely no one broaches the topic of Australia. This bizarre omission undermines all the work done to create an authentic sense of place and people. And it would be an easy fix, by, for example, having Brian tell contradictory versions to two people.

Whether it was not discussed in script development, or written but not shot, or shot but left out of the final cut, I do not know. But that egregious misfire in the creative process ruins what could have been an immersive, enjoyable cinema outing.

A movie I found hard to rate. There are things I liked a lot in it.

The atmosphere of the small Irish fishing community, all grey skies, dour faces, dramatic waves crashing to the shore. Yeah, I'm a sucker for that.

The actors were very strong, as you can imagine with Emily Watson and Paul Mescal leading your cast. There's a very interesting story told here, about just how far a mother's love can go. Mescal is a never do well, but in the eyes of Watson he's the bees knees. Until something happens that even she can't deny.

It's a very interesting story, something I've not seen a lot in other movies. And yet... I was so disappointed by the way it was all handled. Sometimes a movie can be too subtle. I felt some important scenes were left on the cutting room floor. I needed more closure, some dramatic fits, anything really!

I know subtlety is a good thing and not everything needs to be spelled out...but you gotta give us something!

If A24 wasn't behind this film I doubt I would of checked it out. I like a lot of their films but this was a waste of time. It had the elements to be great, but unfortunately it missed the mark. It starts out ok and there's an erie vibe throughout the film. But when it was all said and done, nothing happens. It had a few good scenes here and there and the score helps carry the film. But it was missing any sort of intensity. The only reason I would suggest watching this film is if you can't sleep. It was like visual melatonin. Other then that, it's not a film I'd recommend or watch again. Don't make the mistake I made and be fooled by the A24 logo, watch something else. Basic 5 stars.

What would you do, if you had to be untrue, to yourself and all you know, to retain the status quo, stop the waves from crashing down, keep from letting those close drown, hold the tidal swell at bay, what would be, the price you'd pay?

It's a very slow burn and if you're not in tune with the setting and the circumstance (maybe you don't like oysters) then you'll more than likely struggle to keep your head above water for more than half of it, but the performances are sound, especially Emily Watson who seldom disappoints, and it may leave you asking a few questions about what you would do in a similar scenario to the one presented, or indeed whether you accept the events played out as a possible reality at all.

The movie "God's Creatures" is an intense, heavy-duty drama about a mother's protective relationship with her son. To what extent can a mother's love for her offspring be acceptable and understood?

Emily Watson's performance as the mother Aileen O'Hara is simply brilliant, once again she lets us delve into the insecurity, regret, love, and ambiguity of a mother torn apart between being a mother and a woman. Emily Watson gives herself fully, just like she did in "Breaking the Waves".

Despite having this theme of guilt and shame, the movie has a somewhat excessive conclusion, especially because its plot is related to a form of unconditional love between mother and son.