First Reformed
Well known writer/director Paul Schrader sticks to a similar tone and protagonist as other films he’s written however some definitive camera work and a stellar Ethan Hawke performance make “First Reformed” a film desperately trying to bring light to heavy subjects seldom talked about. We follow a man who consistently experiences loss , including family, hope and faith. He will have to battle inside and out in order to make sense of the hand he’s been dealt.
Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) presides over a small tourist church in rural New York doing what he know best despite feeling alone and sick most of the time. He is attempting a 12 month experiment of writing down everything he can to hold himself accountable among other things. The church is having a large 250 year celebration which has caused Toller to be more actively involved , sometimes he can struggle with due to his past. After a young wife asks Toller to speak to her husband who seems violently angry with the world, things begin to alter his view.
This film is incredibly static and deliberately paced which is remarkable considering how loaded it is with themes and religious parallels. The camera only has two real instances where it moves freely. Once when Toller and Mary are having their connection by breathing and the other at the end of the film when they share a long kiss. I believe this is shown purposefully in order to showcase a fantasy element in play. I don’t think it’s by mistake that Toller’s only real refuge from his struggle is from a newly single mother named Mary.
Ethan Hawke is phenomenal throughout the film. Able to capture the scale of each scene and just how confused and desperate he is at times. The dialogue between all characters is so grounded to the point that many conversations are uncomfortable to listen to. Even characters that only appear briefly are able to make you feel infuriated by the way they treat people. The films central struggle being about radicalism focusing on climate change is not only unique but pretty plausible for today’s standards. I felt that the colors changed towards the end of the film and cuts became more frequent to show Toller’s loss of control.
2017’s First Reformed shows Paul Schrader back in his wheelhouse writing conflicted male protagonists on the fringe of violence due to outside circumstances or the media that he’s been exposed to. Using a carefully crafted set rich with details and laser like camerawork, “First Reformed” works as character study and the observation of how the church, politics and society has grossly neglected climate change.