True North

True North brings virtually nothing new and leaves an unpleasant air of expectation and element of disappointment. In fact, despite the strong theme and relative sympathy for the characters, it fails to bring the viewer any satisfaction that would make them begin to empathize more strongly. Fortunately, this is balanced out by Peter Mullan's superbly written and acted character, who redeems what he can. However, it's been a long time since I've seen an ending this "shocking" ultimately fizzle out. The last shot of the ship, in its simple and effective mise-en-scene, clumsily reveals how few aspects there are to this hour and a half long story. And I confess that I was irritated by the way they suppressed all sound at the end so that the characters could speak in a depressingly low voice. (2011.12.20)