The Forgiven

Richard Galloway (Matt Smith) and his gay partner Dally Margolis (Caleb Landry Jones) have created a private resort in the Moroccan desert. Hard-drinking surgeon David Henninger (Ralph Fiennes) and his wife Jo (Jessica Chastain) are two of their guests. In the dark of night, David gets lost driving to the resort. He hits and kills a local boy.

This reminds me of the TV show, The White Lotus. The guests are entitled and selfish. They make many assumptions about the locals. The locals have their own prejudices. It's a clash of cultures and classes. It raises uncomfortable questions about people. Unlike White Lotus, this does not use as much ironic humor and has the intensity raised up especially in David's journey. I could do with less Jo. Once David is headed out into the desert, the resort life holds much less importance.

Whilst The Forgiven definitely feels its length it's still a really good drama that skillfully critiques many of the worst tendencies of the upper class whilst wisely humanising those who are often depicted as stereotypes.

Ralph Fiennes gives a great lead performance that's unafraid to be unlikable and buoyed by his solid chemistry with Saïd Taghmaoui, whose one of the most human, earnest and likeable characters in the whole film. Ismael Kanater is also great, equally human and full of heartbreaking pain and anguish.

John Michael McDonagh's direction is really good, prioritising nice framing and some clever transitions over mobility. The old Hollywood style credits are a nice touch too. The music by Lorne Balfe is really evocative and memorable if a little overused.

Not exactly a classic hit and run scheme though, because the corpse is brought and not left besides the road. But it is not important in terms of difference, it's just a behavior analysis, the rich folks vs the poor ones. A good, perfect analysis, accurate, sharp, riveting with a tremendous Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain couple. Not the kind of film to make a gross in movie theaters, no glamour here, no Hollywood element, not the trademark of an American film, but instead European. French film industry could have done it, I guess. And the ending is perfect too, in the mood of the rest of the film. Good job. Ralph Fiennes' character is very moving, surprising, all in shades.

An out of touch and dislikeable group of misfits, also rans and holier-than-thous, gather in a remote part of Morocco to celebrate and carouse, where an unfortunate accident ends with distress, and the source of the sorrow, must seek forgiveness.

Fundamentally, a film about the disregard, disrespect and contempt we have for cultures alien to our own, as well as to those closer to home, including friends and those more dear.

Whether you dislike the story and/or the characters, the acting and presentation is top drawer.

Moody, ambient film set in the rich beauty of desert Morocco. Suspenseful and full of Moroccan culture and influence. A morality tale between the haves and the have nots. Quite arresting, lush cinematography. I have visited Morrocco this year and appreciated the slice of culture. Tense and surprising.