Shepherd

We know, we know...lighthouses and loneliness make you crazy. When you've recently lost a wife, it's not a good idea to take a job herding sheep in the middle of nowhere. Bound to be some ghosts.

Every frame was intentional. Although some may find the film too slow, I enjoyed and appreciated every minute. Beautifully done in EVERY area!!

From the gorgeous open stark and rugged landscapes, to the reflections on water puddles and window.....this movie was done with intent behind every millisecond!!

The camera shots were smooth and varied and came from unexpected angles and views.

The score or music added significantly to the atmosphere seamlessly without over riding the other expressions.

The acting was superbly understated and there were some wonderful symbolism within this story.

The actual screenplay was just a little less tight than everything else for me. Perhaps (I'm guessing here) that it was a cultural/national subtlety that didn't translate as clearly.... But, again, It was SUBTLE and everything else was so generously and perfectly executed that it didn't effect my enjoyment or appreciation for this film.

Shepherd is a quiet focused film on the tragedy and grief of a man (and his dog) who leaves his home taking residence on an isolated island to tend to sheep. He's mourning the death of his wife, but given the reticence of this character, all we know is that she died. The woman who instructs him on his duties, and who will bring supplies, takes on a meancing nature as the lead starts his descent into isolation reacrion. Is it psychosis or supernatural? The film continues with elements increasing in their bizarre nature and displays some surreal visions. At the end, we find one piece of the puzzle from the lead character, helping to have some satisfaction at the end without full clarity given.

Tom Hughes does well in carrying this film as he is largely alone on screen. He portrays the numbness of grief expertly, and he manages a realistic depiction of that descent into Hell or madness without falling into stereotypical behaviors or characterizations. His performance makes the resolution and uncertainty credible for the film's end.

From the very first frame, this movie oozes atmosphere. It seems effortless, but the people responsible for this movie want you to believe it is. But everything is so meticulously crafted, you start to wonder if any of it was really deliberate or if these people just got lucky. I mean, horror isn't exactly the first genre you think of when you think of movies being an art form, is it?

As a huge stickler for cinematography, I truly believe that even the lamest, most boring film is made infinitely better if it is pretty to look at. This movie movie not only delivered, but exceeded all of my (albeit, low) expectations. Every single frame of this movie could stand alone as a framed photograph in an art exhibition, and it's not just the expansive shots of the various parts of Scotland and Wales that made it a joy to watch, it was also the way the camera itself was used to frame what transpired on screen. In ugly movies, the camera just sits there with no semblance of coordination or even a passing understanding of visual aesthetic (B-movies are the prime example of that). This movie felt like the whole visual team worked as a cohesive whole that understood that camera placement, framing and positioning are just as important at conveying what is going on in a given scene as the action itself. There aren't many horror films that do this effectively, and the ones that do are few and far between (The Witch, Hereditary,& Midsommar to name a few). This was just a breathtaking movie to watch for me, personally, and the visual team should be commended and given raises for the work they did on this film.

That being said, the movie itself, while incredibly atmospheric and creepy as all get out, could have done more to push the boundaries of the story it was trying to tell. I felt that things could have gone further with the reasoning behind the actions taking place, but so much of it was left to ambiguity that it made for a less than satisfying ending. I wanted more of a definitive end to the story instead of one that was left to the imagination.

The acting was stupendous, the score was effective and nerve wracking, and the length of the film was just right, telling an interesting story with a good pace for the duration of the film. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed by this film and while 2022 just started, it's one of the better films I've seen so far. I eagerly await this directors next film, and if this one is any indication, it can only get better from here.

First of all, I'm a horror film fan. The scarier, bloodier and crazier the better. That's not to say I have unsophisticated taste, though. I absolutely loved this movie. It's not "scary" scary, or bloody. It's not particularly crazy either. This isn't a cheap looking home movie, like some low budget flicks out there. It had a Hitchcock style vibe to it (think Vertigo) that drew me in from the beginning. I usually hate dream sequences as a cheap plot device, but here it's really hard to tell what's a dream, a fantasy, or reality. The atmosphere of a foggy, cold island with the creepy sheep and bell from the lighthouse take you on a journey of psychological horror. This is a very well done, well acted movie. I highly recommend this for a more mature audience. It's not a popcorn horror movie, which is actually nice for a change.