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Monday, August 15, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW
Salvation Boulevard
The Road To Faith, And The Detour To Hell
Greg Kinnear as Carl in "Salvation Boulevard", directed by George Ratliff.
IFC Films
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
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Monday,
August 15, 2011
"Salvation Boulevard", George Ratliff's satire on the American megachurch ala
Wal-Mart, based on Larry Bienhart's novel, passes quickly as a thrifty little
independent film that doesn't distinguish itself from most other films of its
genre. Part grim comedy, part cynical play, Mr. Ratliff's ensemble effort
stars Pierce Brosnan as megachurch leader Dan Day, who devotes his life to the
Lord until he does something unholy.
Ed Harris is Dr. Paul Blaylock, an atheist who debates Dan early on in front of
his congregation. After their contentious debate, Paul wants Dan to relax.
They drink, with Dan's born-again devotee Carl (Greg
Kinnear) present. Trouble happens, hell breaks loose, and Hell
takes over. Carl finds that his life in the church may be especially
brief, and misunderstanding and opportunism has him looking fearfully over his
shoulder.
From here, "Salvation Boulevard", a cheeky, quirky experience, should have
gained a head of steam but instead recedes as additional characters join the
fray of Mr. Ratliff's farcical sideshow, including
Marisa Tomei
as the free-spirited officer Honey, a former love interest of Carl, and current
recreational drug user. Ms. Tomei sparks the film with energy that the
comedy-drama fails to sustain when she's not on screen. Jennifer Connelly
relaxes and lets her hair down a little as Gwen, Carl's wife, a mother who may
be more devoted to Dan and faith than to Carl.
Dan (played like a shark-toothed snake-oil salesman by Mr. Brosnan) deludes
himself into the sanctified comfort faith shines on him but knows he can't bask
in it forever. The film itself doesn't realize this as quickly however,
and while "Salvation Boulevard" has its moments and lasts only 95 minutes,
there's something slow, anti-climactic and distant about it. It never
grasps its own sense of purpose. Its characters don't do enough to sell
their motivations. The film and its script, written by Mr. Ratliff and
Douglas Stone, go through the motions. Mr. Brosnan, great in "The Matador"
(2005), reunites here with Mr. Kinnear but their rapport lacks a certain je ne
sais quoi.
"Salvation Boulevard" examines the realities of faith when life's exigent
circumstances take hold but Mr. Ratliff merely presents the situations but
doesn't sufficiently explore them. He lets style and symbolism dictate the
extent of any potential substance in the film's issues. Do any of these
characters for example, "believe" unless self-preservation calls for it?
Ultimately there's an answer or two but Mr. Ratliff's satire takes its time
getting there.
American films, especially those from Hollywood, have long made fun of or
scorned religion and faith. With notable exceptions ("The Apostle", among
others) most approaches to the subject fall flat or feel hollow. Religion
and faith are thorny, and satire is an effective weapon to tackle them.
Horror movies often make religion an easy target. Regardless, it's tricky
territory. Religion and faith on the big screen can look trivial,
ponderous, or, in at least one case, controversial ("The Last Temptation Of
Christ"), or explosive and gratuitous ("The Passion Of The Christ"). Even
sincere efforts ("The
Tree Of Life") get heat, accused of being steeped in piety and
self-reverence, even though Terrence Malick's film isn't about religion per se.
In short, faith, as presented in Hollywood films, is a no-win situation.
For a while "Salvation Boulevard" and its solid cast partake enthusiastically in
offerings that are potentially bountiful, but nearly all the paper-thin
characters don't stake their raison d'être with any more conviction than a Punch
and Judy show. For all of its endeavor "Salvation Boulevard" lacks
seasoning, direction and a rewrite or two. A film with a cast this strong
deserves much better.
With: Ciarán Hinds, Howard Hesseman, Jim Gaffigan, Yul Vazquez, Isabelle
Fuhrman, Mary Callaghan Lynch.
"Salvation Boulevard" is not rated by the Motion Picture
Association Of America but contains some violence. The film's running time
is one hour and 35 minutes.
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