When I heard the news that de director of my all time favorite movie (Black Swan) tackling the story of Noah I was very curious about the result. Darren Aranofsky is someone who knows how to stir the emotions of his viewers. The characters in his movies often struggle with strong emotions which often has psychological consequences on them. I found it interesting that an atheist would be bringing this story to the big screen. With a budget of more than 125 million dollars he would be able to fully develop his vision, which is now available to watch. The question is whether or not you should see it.
Most people will be familiar with the story: Noah (Russell Crowe) receives instructions from God (here named The Creator) to build an ark in which he should house all the animals of the world. Except for him and his family the world has to be cleansed of all human life so it can all start again.
It would not be an Aranofsky movie if he would translate that story in a simple way. Noah is usually seen as a good person who saved the animals in the world. The fact that he let the rest of humanity to drown isn’t usually something which is given much thought. Aranofsky does spend time on it. Noah has made the decision to not save anyone and it is a choice he has to deal with. Noah isn’t depicted as a saint here, he is someone who is completely convinced of his mission en there is no one, not even his family, who can tell him otherwise. The story of the animals is only a tiny part of the movie, because as soon as they get on the ark they are brought into some smoke induced coma. The main focus in this telling of Noah is that of him, his family and his inner struggle.
Almost every visitor to this movie will come into it with a specific idea about the story and that fact alone works against Noah. People have expectations and when elements show up which were not in the Bible they will stand out. A good example are The Watchers, big rock monsters who protect Noah and help him build the ark (you can’t expect one man to build such a huge vessel now can you?). I loved the way they were explained (angels who wanted to save humanity and were punished by God by trapping them in stone).
The first half of the movie is big and full of spectacular action, whereas the second part is more psychological. Aranofsky brings some stunning sequences to the screen with the telling of the story of creation being my personal highlight. This is also a movie with a message: There is criticism about current society and how we are treating the world, but it also shows that someone who is convinced about something (which he thinks is the right thing to do) will chase that conviction and won’t let anyone keep him from his goal even if that means killing all of humanity.
With Noah, Aranofsky delivers an interesting vision on the biblical story which will not be able to please everyone. Still it offers themes to think about when it comes to the original story and the mental struggles that come with such a task.
Nice review. I thought this was a mess of a movie that borderlined on stupid in some instances. Aronofsky is certainly not telling the biblical account and his version just wasn’t that appealing to me. The odd environmentalist/animal rights messaging to some of the more outlandish ideas, I just couldn’t much buy much of it at all.
I can understand the issues people are having with it, although personally it got me to think about the original story.
I am in your camp mostly. This was a very thought provoking film that succeeded at being a conversation piece. You love it, you hate it, you rest in the middle, but the bottom line is that you’re talking about it! Great review. Aronofsky didn’t tell the Bible’s version of the story, but he told a very strong character story about faith and the effect it can have on a person.
Exactly, it gets people talking indeed.
Just like the actual story itself, everyone will have a different interpretation of it and I definitely think that’s one of its strongest-suits. Good review Nostra.
Yeah and I quite liked his vision of it.
Cool review. Its definitely an interesting movie, but it’s all over the place and, as you noted, it’s not ge Biblical version. For me, the performances and the visuals were the strongest parts. Narratively, it’s a bit wacky. Like I said, it is interesting, but also deeply flawed.
I thought the bit about the pregnancy went on for a bit too long
Oh oh oh, I’m aching to see this one. I missed it in the cinema but I’ll be checking it out on disc. A solid 7 is okay in my book, but I tend to think religious (or even quasi-religious) films like this divide audiences more than they capture? What do you think?
Definitely a movie that will divide audiences in as big way and you are right that with religious movies that is usually stronger as each person experiences his faith in a different way. When parts of that are translated into film that will cause discussion.
I’m in the camp that wish that God isn’t being overlooked in His own story, so naturally I’m not that interested in this adaptation. I might give it a rent at some point, but only out of curiosity.
But the question is how Good should have been depicted then? People believe in his presence based on the bible although never having seen him. The same goes for Noah, he believes that his visions are given to him by what he calls the creator.
I’m glad someone else enjoyed the Fallen Angel rock monsters too (they seem to be getting a lot of hate!)
Yeah, including the immediate comparison to the Lord of the Rings movies.
Nice review. I have to say while kind of got what Aranofsky was trying to do, I felt Noah was a mess. Near the end, Noah was growing so unlikeable that he made Ray Winstone’s villain seem logical.
Should he be likeable though? It is a man who does not want to deviate from something he strongly believes is the only possible thing to do even if that means going against his own family.
What a crazy film this is. Moments of brilliance and absurdity fuse together into something you don’t easily forget.
Yes, it will surely not be forgotten!
Noah is big in name but the movie is not as much good, thanks for sharing this…..
Everyone their own opinion about it, although it has its flaws I did enjoy the experience.
I thought this had its moments, particularly in the first half of the film, but it descended into melodrama by the end. However, I think Aronofsky deserves some credit for trying to make the story interesting, as he could easily have just made a direct adaptation to pander to religious people.
Exactly, he took some chances and not all of them work, but it does make for an interesting film which people are talking about.
I agree, I was expecting something a bit more from this movie. I cant say it was amazing but I thought it was well done for the most part.
Yeah, the creation part I really enjoyed and was happy to see that bit was released online, liked watching it again.