First Reformed

I never expected to be so moved by "First Reformed", a small indie that tackles large themes such as climate change, mental health, and faith rather ferociously. Though it is a bit of a slow-burn at the start, it's impossible not to be drawn in by Ethan Hawke's magnetizing performance. He is masterful as Ernst Toller, a pastor who begins to unravel after an encounter a husband and wife who are environmental activists. The second half of the film is particularly strong, as Toller's polite and unassuming facade begins to crack, and writer/director Paul Schrader makes some daring filmmaking choices that add to the unpredictability of the film as it heads toward the climax. Though the ending has been controversial among audiences, I thought it was an incredibly bold, beautifully executed choice, and the final few minutes of the film have been seared into my mind. Regardless of how you respond to the ending, there is no doubt that this is a thought-provoking and important piece of art. A must-see.

On one hand, its beautifully acted, well written, has stunning cinematography, and, at times, makes me want to be a better person BUT this movie is completely devoid of happiness. I felt like crap the entire time I watched it. Perhaps that was its intent.

I watched the entire move so I must have liked it a little.

Apparently, I am the oldest person commenting on this extraordinary film to recognize that the plot, characters, and pacing can all be traced back to Ingmar Bergman's Winterlight, Yes, Paul Schrader has created a great new original film but we must recognize its sources and failure to do so leaves us withering. You will not have to see Ingmar Bergman's original to appreciate this film, but the fact that so much comes from that film makes it weird to me that no one has recognized it so far. Beautifully executed, gorgeously shot and accomplished acting all contribute to the effectiveness of this film. It may seem a little shallow to some, but it is very worthwhile.

It's as stark as a Scandinavian winterscape. Ethan Hawke stars as a troubled pastor in a small Upstate New York town. He's assigned to an ancient church (founded in 1767) that's basically a tourist spot and part of a megachurch that seats 5,000 and televises regularly for donations. You know the type.

Anyway, Hawke has a troubled past. His marriage fell apart after his son was killed in Iraq (for nothing) and he may have cancer. He wanders the empty parsonage like a ghost. He's called by a local woman (Amanda Seyfried) to counsel her radicalized husband. He's a warrior against those who are killing the planet for personal gain. He's totally obsessed with industrial pollution and climate change, etc. The wife panics when she discovers a suicide vest loaded with explosives.

The other main plot has Hawke dealing with the slick megachurch bureaucracy and its major donor, who has a history of polluting the environment. Hey, I said this was stark.

After several plot turns, the film almost reaches it conclusion but the screen suddenly goes black and silent just as we're about to reach the climax. I thought my streaming service went out. A very off way to end a film, but probably effective. I think there's more than a passing nod to Flannery O'Connor's brilliant novel, Wise Blood, and Hawkes' Toller shares a close kinship with O'Connor's protagonist Hazel Motes and his "Church without Christ." This is a somber and fascinating film by Paul Schrader and certainly not to all tastes. It's worth sticking with because of Ethan Hawkes' excellent performance.

One not to miss. The priest personifies the world's intense conflicts between the unstoppable forces of destruction (our planet, our relationships, the consequences of the Iraq war, the brutality of corporate polluters, slavery, churches more attuned to materialism than spirituality) and the receding forces of gentleness, compassion, prayers. This isn't a religious movie, though profoundly spiritual. It reminded me of Dostoyevsky, Camus and the anguish of existing in a universe so corrupted that even the thought of bringing a child seems like a sin to his father. Both Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried are amazing to watch. And my admiration to Paul Schrader..