Elephant (2003)

By: Michael Yagi

Review of 'Elephant'

Genre: Drama

Director: Gus Vant Sant

Year: 2003

The tagline of the movie is 'An ordinary high school day. Except that

it's not'. That is exactly what the film was. The movie follows the

daily routines of select students in and out of high school. It's told

through the eyes of each of these students who follow the same fate.

Each of these characters display different characteristics and

experiences in the film and at the end of the movie.

It tells us that the unthinkable nature of what happened to Columbine

was real, another wake up call for us. While Bowling for Columbine

tries to determine what the cause of gun violence is particularly in

the lives of children, 'Elephant' is very different indeed. It clearly

tells us that there is no straight answer and it does not try to delve

into the cause and effect of the result. Therein lies the controversy,

what was the point of making this film? Was it necessary? Yes, because

this is the world we live in and Gus Vant Sant shows us the extreme

environment teens of this time live in. It is real. It could and

inevitably will happen, unless someone starts paying attention.

The vastness in the scenes are incredible and the colors are crisp and

vivid. The camera lingers on the characters faces displaying their

everyday expressions. It adds to the realness of the environment and

people. The movie moves at a normal pace and ends at the height of the

climax, like waking up from a nightmare. You leave thinking of the

horrors and wondering what could possibly have gone wrong. Ultimately

it leaves us with a sense of responsibility for future generations. I

must say it is a movie that will give mixed feelings. Personally, it

is a powerful wake up call for our times.

The verdict:

7.5/8- Void of any story and seemingly mundane. But you are left

shocked at the reality of the world's current state.

(c) 2004 Eight Trees CineMANIA

www.eighttreescinemania.com

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X-RT-RatingText: 7.5/8