untitled
BEOWULF & GRENDEL
Directed by: Sturla Gunnarsson
Internet Movie
Database Entry for full details
GRADE: B/B- (2.6/4)
2005.
A
potentially interesting, revisionist retelling of the Beowulf myth
suffers from its uneven execution – the film
doesn’t pull itself together thematically until the third
act, which may be too long to wait. Much of the film drags
along due to poor pacing -- there is very little, but much
needed, action while it takes over an hour to develop a strong
philosophical core.
Grendel, the formless monster of the epic poem, is here humanized, or rather troll-ized; that is,
the filmmakers set out to make him a complex character with real
motivations. By doing so they ultimately make a powerful, and
aptly timed, statement about the nature of violence and war.
When Beowulf finally slays the murderous Grendel, the act carries no
pretensions of heroism.
The film is a bit vulgar, though not necessarily offensively so, in its
violence, sexuality (even Grendel is given a sex-scene) and
anachronistic use of strong language. The visuals, from the
locations to the costume and set design to Jan Kiesser’s
cinematography, are impressive; an impressive visual sense alone,
however, does not a good film make.
Gerard Butler, as Beowulf, and Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson as
Grendel, both perform well, but it’s Stellan
Skarsgård in a supporting role as the Dane King who
steals every scene that he’s in. Sarah Polley, on
the other hand, as the resident village witch sticks out like a digital
wristwatch and ruins
every scene she appears in.
Director Sturla Gunnarrson tried to make an Icelandic, Middle Ages A History of Violence,
but despite a strong cast, crew and concept can’t cohere it
together into the great film it could have possibly been. -- Henry Stewart
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