 | Director Atom Egoyan (‘Sweet Hereafter’, ‘Felicia’s Journey’) has turned to the true story of the West Memphis Three where three young boys were savagely murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993, for his latest film, ‘Devil’s Knot’. |
| Director Atom Egoyan (‘Sweet Hereafter’, ‘Felicia’s Journey’) has turned to the true story of the West Memphis Three where three young boys were savagely murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993, for his latest film, ‘Devil’s Knot’. This murder mystery/courtroom drama, dramatises Mara Leveritt's novelisation of the same name. stars Reese Witherspoon as grieving mother Pam Hobbs and Colin Firth as lead defense investigator Ron Lax who both deliver strong performances. In fact this is an all-star production from top to bottom. However it's the controversial subject matter that has given this film its edge: murder, satanic cults, corruption, miscarriages of justice… its got it all! | The true story is undeniably a fascinating one, full of tragedy and anguish so that Egoyan has delivered an honest and compelling film is to his credit – the fear mongering, mass hysteria and inevitable prejudice in a gung ho community is handled with great sensitivity. There have been works on this subject before – ‘West of Memphis’ and ‘Paradise Lost’ – something critics have perceived as making this movie redundant yet this skillfully brings out the paranoia and intolerance of the public under duress This is a film with strong character development and full of tension… |