| Set in Depression–era North Carolina, Danish director Susanne Bier (‘In A Better World’) has created an atmospheric drama adapted from Ron Rash’s best-selling 2008 novel of the same name about a grubby world of greed and corruption. |
Set in Depression–era North Carolina, Danish director Susanne Bier (‘In A Better World’) has created an atmospheric drama adapted from Ron Rash’s best-selling 2008 novel of the same name about a grubby world of greed and corruption. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are reunited again (‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘American Hustle’) with great effect. Lawrence plays Serena as an unconventional woman for her time – strong, independent and ruthless, in a traditionally ‘man’s world’.
Bradley Cooper plays George Pemberton, the indebted owner of a lumberyard. Rather than marry for money he marries a hardheaded businesswoman called Serena (Jennifer Lawrence). The characters begin as tough and cynical - unwilling to let anyone get in the way of their success. As Serena becomes more unhinged the movie tips over the edge of heightened drama into melodrama.
This larger-than-life tempestuous emotional sweep is aided by solid performances by supporting actors, Toby Jones and Rhys Ifans. The lovely period costumes, muted autumnal colours and mostly hand-held camerawork lift this compelling old-fashioned romantic melodrama into a stylish retro noir work of some quality. Their grand love, full of life or death passion, is of a sort that hearkens back to an earlier era.
Bradley Cooper plays George Pemberton, the indebted owner of a lumberyard. Rather than marry for money he marries a hardheaded businesswoman called Serena (Jennifer Lawrence). The characters begin as tough and cynical - unwilling to let anyone get in the way of their success. As Serena becomes more unhinged the movie tips over the edge of heightened drama into melodrama.
This larger-than-life tempestuous emotional sweep is aided by solid performances by supporting actors, Toby Jones and Rhys Ifans. The lovely period costumes, muted autumnal colours and mostly hand-held camerawork lift this compelling old-fashioned romantic melodrama into a stylish retro noir work of some quality. Their grand love, full of life or death passion, is of a sort that hearkens back to an earlier era.