So how do you film an outstanding, critically acclaimed, prize winning, "unfilmable" literary novel? With conviction, style, soul and absolutely no compromise. Exactly as John Hillcoat has done.The film is amazing, beautiful, sad, heart-wrenching, distressing and haunting. Just like the book.
The more I've thought about it, the better it gets.
The visual scenes of apocalypse are bleak but restrained, the soundtrack is perfect and emotional. Even the voice-over works in a melancholy way.
The Science Fictional idea, the end of the world is at the very core of the film because it takes away everything. It is no temporary disaster, not a moment to be survived, but a new, horrible, world.
But there is hope in the film. More so for me that the ending of the book (despite it being the ultimate in faithful adaptations). Maybe it was because I knew the story, second time round as it were? Maybe it was the visual aspects of the film? The love of the father-son relationship shone in the film (with some truly outstanding acting), as did their humanity, giving me more hope, despite the sadness.
As you might be able to tell, I'm struggling for words. All I can say in the end is read the book and go and see this film. Essential Science Fiction.
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