Criterionize This

The Sweet Hereafter

The lone survivor of the accident, a teenage girl, narrates the film by using the fable of the Pied Piper as the framework for the film’s events.  The story is told in three simultaneous narrative streams that deftly weave together to form a beautiful narrative.  The backstory of how the accident happened forms the first stream while the aftershock and lawsuit forms the second.  The third stream is quite enigmatic and is never resolved but provides much depth to the life of the attorney and shows why he does what he does.

Ian Holm is fantastic as the seemingly amoral attorney who drives the parents into a frenzy of revenge, but his character is haunted by the unstoppable self-destruction of his junkie daughter.  Frequently through the film she calls him on his cell-phone, asking for money to support her habit.  Beaten down by years of this, Holm’s love for his daughter has eroded into duty.  He cares for her because she is his, nothing more.  Desperate for some solace for his grief, he rallies other grief-stricken parents to sue ambiguous powers in a vain attempt to lessen his own pain.  The film is more about him than about the townspeople, but their pain is vivid and powerful as well.   

Rife with powerful performances, a beautiful soundtrack, gorgeous cinematography and an original, fresh story, this film is definitely Criterion-worthy.

Desired Extras: 

• An illustrated insert booklet that recreates the story of the Pied Piper but replaces the traditional characters and plot with that of the film.

• Interview with the screenwriter on the story’s origins.

• Interview with the director.

• Interview with the cast.

• Featurette on its filming, opening and critical and general reaction to the film.

Re: The Sweet Hereafter

New Line put out a great release of the movie as one of their earlier “Platinum” Series that has some amazing content:

• ·         US and Canadian Theater Trailers
• ·         Biographies and Filmographies
• ·         Isolated Score by Mychael Danna
• ·         “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” by Robert Browning and illustrated by Kate Greenaway
• ·         "The Charlie Rose Show" interview with Atom Egoyan
• ·         Q&A interviews with members of the cast
• ·         Audio Commentary by writer/director Atom Egoyan and novelist Russell Banks
• ·         "Before and After The Sweet Hereafter." video discussion of the book and film with Russell Banks and Atom Egoyan

The film is presented in widescreen, but not anamorphic, so it is ready for an update, just as well be Criterion that does it :o)

Is there a spoiler friendly area somewhere? The ending of this movie left me with one big question and I would love to hear what others think the answer is.