New Release Birb: First Reformed

First Reformed
Starring: Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried
Written and Directed by Paul Schrader
US Release Date: May 18th, 2018
My First Viewing: May 30th, 2018

A former military officer turned Reverend deals with the struggles of guilt and despair in his own life as well as the world around us in First Reformed, starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried.

Hawke plays Reverend Toller, who at the beginning of the film starts a one-year journal exercise to write his thoughts in the truest way possible, by putting pen to paper. In his small congregation (which is run by a superchurch run by Cedric "The Entertainer" Kyles) is Mary (Seyfried) and her husband Michael (Philip Ettinger). Mary wants to set Michael up with Reverend Toller because he is depressed about global warming and he wants her to get rid of their unborn child because he doesn't want to bring another life into this world.

This is a very deliberately paced film, but it keeps you invested. Hawke's performance is the standout of the movie as Toller. He has to deal with his own personal demons that come from his divorce, his poor health, and how he questions his own beliefs when Michael and Mary come into his life. The pacing help with the third act reveals, where you don't know what exactly is happening, even when the movie cuts to black and the credits start rolling. There were quite a few audible "what's" coming from the audience at the conclusion of the film.

The messages it sends about religion and global warming can be very heavy, to the extent that at some points it feels like it is beating you over the head. However, with great performances from it's leading cast, amazing cinematography that matches Toller's off-kilter mindset, and a smart screenplay by writer and director Paul Schrader, this is one of my favorite films thus far in 2018.

What were your thoughts on First Reformed? Follow me on facebook and instagram and leave your comments.

First Reformed is rated R for disturbing violent images.

-birb

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