Puritan (2006)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

Most commentators seem to like this, but I didn't. It seemed to me to be 90% of nothing happening and 10% denouement. The photography was laboured and unnecessarily monochromatic (mostly red/black). I guessed the identity of the disfigured man fairly early on and I think that most people will manage that. I love supernatural films but this was a real disappointment. I thought that there was no suspense and no character development. Also, I did not 'get' the ending. In fact, I couldn't engage with any of the characters at all. I've had to pad this out because of the rules but my summary would be: Quite boring with no resolution (yep - I'm one of those who likes a real ending! :-)

When you watch this film you feel its timeless quality in the storytelling. Its classical, simple and immediate.Some scenes are shot in a single take, and the actors run through their lines with a slow ease that is charming to watch. the entire film is lit in a dark and brooding way.I think the cinematographer has done an outstanding job in adding to the storytelling, dealing with imagery in a way that expands and explains the plot line, painting with light and also speaking with light.The actors act with slow and strong assurance, solid performances that create resonance throughout the film.If I can think of a word that can best describe this film it solidity of vision. Puritan is film that is cut above.

I am yet another one of the fans from the Frightfest Film Festival, saw Puritan on Monday, and it blew me away.It looks like a Victorian film, dark and shadowy, and has all the elements of DC's Vertigo comics.All those Alan Moore adaptations we have had that have hit the big screen have been truly dire, but this film, obviously not written by Moore but newcomer Hadi Hajaig, is the kind of film that has the feel of those graphic novels.Its intricate in its design, gorgeous in its mise en scene, and devilishly clever in its final act delivery.The cast are cool, Moran who acted in lock stock, a film i did not enjoy at all, was excellent, David Soul was sooo good as the menacing self help guru, but it is the new talent that is Georgina Rylance that steals their thunder, she is like a more beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas.If I had any criticism it is that it didn't explain itself enough at the end, but I guess that is a good thing as we can try to mull over all the various plot details.A great shot in the arm for the Independent British Film industry, who only seem to make moronic gangster films. It really inspired me.

I just saw this film in what seems to be the World Premiere screening (Germany, Fantasy Filmfest). It was called a "supernatural film noir" in advance. It's not really dressed film noir in terms of cinematography or looks in general, but it's story sure steps into the tradition. In my opinion, it starts a bit too slow. As things unfold, tension rises. The hints that point at a supernatural background add to the thriller-atmosphere. But when the viewer is finally able to make a picture out of the puzzle pieces, the ending comes all too quick, although at this point the story asks for much more. Altogether, the big moment of confrontation to which it all aims is a bit too predictable to serve my tastes. Fans of the genre (or this sort of genre-mix-up, rather) will still be pleased. But don't expect something that will make impact.