Puritan

Very smart, deceptively subtle film. I saw this at an advance screening and one of the first things that struck me was how beautiful it looked. Like a film noir from the 40's set in the present day, but it also had this lovely haunting atmosphere of a London long since past. It mixes the genres well, but I would say its not really a supernatural film, although the film has a supernatural overtones, but its a smart film in line with films like Donnie Darko and Memento, a mystery.

The acting is really solid, Nick Moran who has made questionable films in the past (I didn't like Lock Stock) is pretty mesmeric as the lead and holds it all together, Ralph Brown is always good, but David Soul's right wing politician is a real treat, I'm amazed he doesn't do more. Georgina Rylance who plays the femme fatale is a star waiting to be discovered, all I can find out about her is that she did Dinotopia and straight to video Wesley Snipes movie!!!!

I liked the slow pacing as I'm getting sick of fast cutting and non stop movement in a lot of films today, it felt very classical and measured. And the ending was a real surprise but I won't spoil it for anyone. All in all I really recommend it when it comes out, check it out

Superbly crafted film. A real surprise for me, I saw it at the LUFF screenings at the NFT. It is quite gorgeously photographed, the main colour being red, which is used throughout in very heavy shades, but this really works as it is counterpointed by deap heavy blacks. The film moves along in a very considered way, it reminded me of the steven soderbergh film 'sex, lies & videotape' in that regard.

The plot is quite multi layered in that it takes you along but you never know where you stand with it, at many points I thought I had figured its conclusion out but was double bluffed, and was wrong, so i enjoyed that aspect of it. The ending does come out of left field and I have to say i didn't really expect it, and was annoyed that I hadnt figured it out but was also pleased that it tricked me. It is the kind of film that you leave and think about for the rest of the evening. All in all an enjoyable film.

If anyone else has seen it, can you tell me the significance of the 'hand' Simon Puritan keeps drawing? This is something that I still have not figured out.

Great film, great direction. I managed to catch a screening of "Puritan" last year & really enjoyed it. It has a great atmosphere, looks slick and an impressive supporting cast. The narrative keeps you gripped until the end, with a few chills and twists along the way. David Soul plays an excellent and unexpected turn as a sly, possibly crooked public benefactor / philanthropist guru. Georgina Rylance is excellent as the love interest & extremely watch able. I found the film very reminiscent of the likes of 'Donnie Darko' with a dash of 'Angel Heart'. 'Puritan' has very much a film noir feel about it. Production design, camera and music should get a special mention. There are some moody sets and non-flashy, economical camera work, all backed up with a catchy and atmospheric score. I think this director could well be worth keeping an eye on in the near future.

I drove all the way from Birmingham to enjoy the Frightfest Festival over the bank holiday weekend, and I have to say I was disappointed with some of the films, there was a degree of childishness to them, but I was relieved to to see Puritan, as it was a real treat.

I had planned not to watch it, as was starving, but then i thought I had to get my money's worth for the weekend pass I had gotten.

So i sat down and watched the director introduce the film, and was really hypnotised by the lyrical beauty of this film.

Its is quite poetic, intelligent and atmospheric to the hilt. I loved the very calm acting styles of all concerned, and the glorious visuals that encompassed this film.

The similarities to Alan Moore stories I spotted immediately but that was a good thing, as its not really a Moore type plot, in that it was a thriller at heart, and not really supernatural, although there is that element to it. I just have to say i really liked this movie.

Nick Moran held my attention as the fallen down hero who has to pick himself up again and start afresh, he has to purify himself, and the way in which that is achieved is incredibly shrewd and cunning.

A Top Film!

I am yet another one of the fans from the Frightfest Film Festival, saw Puritan on Monday, and it blew me away.

It looks like a Victorian film, dark and shadowy, and has all the elements of DC's Vertigo comics.

All those Alan Moore adaptations we have had that have hit the big screen have been truly dire, but this film, obviously not written by Moore but newcomer Hadi Hajaig, is the kind of film that has the feel of those graphic novels.

Its intricate in its design, gorgeous in its mise en scene, and devilishly clever in its final act delivery.

The cast are cool, Moran who acted in lock stock, a film i did not enjoy at all, was excellent, David Soul was sooo good as the menacing self help guru, but it is the new talent that is Georgina Rylance that steals their thunder, she is like a more beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas.

If I had any criticism it is that it didn't explain itself enough at the end, but I guess that is a good thing as we can try to mull over all the various plot details.

A great shot in the arm for the Independent British Film industry, who only seem to make moronic gangster films. It really inspired me.