The Forgiven

The sad thing is that the world mostly consists of these shallow, little people who are buried in their own pettiness and cruelty and think that they hold the world inside their small feasts and despite their prestigious schooling and affluence, they remain small minded and uneducated.

Ralf Feines is the best thing that happened to this film, great support also by Ismael Kanater and Matt Smith. I can't say the same though about the flat Jessica Chastain and Christopher Abbott. Very good cinematography, amateuristic direction. All in all, this had the prospects of being really good but lacked in the details.

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.

I'm a huge Ralph Fiennes fan and he didn't disappoint- he was the highlight of this unusual movie of clashing cultures and relationships. Matt White was suave and Jessica can be charming, but most of the other characters were stereotypical cardboard cutouts. The last half of the movie was the best by far. I'm still chewing on what I've just seen, unsure if I really enjoyed it or am a little disappointed. It's worth the highlights in my opinion, but I definitely think there were some missed opportunities to make this a deeper, more meaningful film.

It's not a very long movie so might as well try it.

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.

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.