This tragic drama is part character piece, part revenge tale, part redemption story. How those parts weave together and the directions in which they go is what makes this film so fascinating and original.
Elvis Valderez (Gael Garcia Bernal, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN) comes to Corpus Christi, Texas after he is discharged from the military. He finds preacher David Sandow (William Hurt, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE) and introduces himself in so many words as his illegitimate son that he has never met. The pastor, who now has a new family and life, doesn’t want anything to do with Elvis. The young man then goes about seducing his half sister Malerie (Pell James, BROKEN FLOWERS) and ultimately bringing ruin to David’s family, which includes his wife Twyla (Laura Harring, MULHOLLAND DR.) and 17-year-old son Paul (Paul Dano, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), who is pressed into being the dedicated gung-ho Christian when he seems to have more secular musical aspirations.
Elvis is cold, calculating and ruthless. His plan for revenge on his father is vicious, but the irony of it all is that David turns out to be less of a jerk than we first think. Many of the dirty secrets in the film are revealed in one wonderfully constructed scene at the church. It’s a brilliant moment for its depth. Bernal is equal parts evil and charming. He is a talented manipulator who doesn’t really seem to have any remorse for any of the things he is doing. It’s like he is floating above everything only thinking about himself with buried contempt for David and his entire new life.
Hurt is wonderful as the changed sinner. Director James Marsh, who wrote the script with Milo Addica, has a keen sense of what motivates born again Christians as well as these particular characters. Christianity has truly saved and changed David. It has made him a better person, but it has also made him unbending when it comes to keeping Paul and Malerie on the straight and narrow. He’s going to force them into his form of Christianity, because it has helped him and he views it as the only choice if you want a good life. These issues along with David coming to terms with his past are part of what makes the film so fresh as well as captivating.
In addition to Bernal and Hurt, the rest of the cast brings believability and power to their performances. I have to make a special note of James’ performance specifically because she is a woman in her late 20s playing a 17-year-old. Besides her youthful appearance, she nails the role so well that you would never suspect that she is as old as she really is. This shocking drama taps into the dynamics of a classic Greek tragedy while bringing a contemporary sensibility akin to an indie character piece crossed with a chilling thriller. This is a tale that surprises in ways that only bring layers to its characters.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
