Dark Harbor

I expect I'm part of a decent sized contingent who came to this movie as fans of Norman Reedus, and so I didn't really have a very clear idea of what I was heading into. And honestly, I'm not sure knowing more would have helped this movie not feel very strange. It's definitely worth it if push through to the end, though.

You're not going to like this film. Why? Well, it's a remake of Roman Polanski's very, very dark Knife in the Water, which he made in Poland. The acting in this film is superb. But, it's not a happy story: it has violence, deceit, duplicity, perfidity and is not one to see on a downer. But, again, Richman is excellent. Indeed, can anyone doubt he is one of our truly great actors?

Before Norman Reedus became a fan-favorite on the popular television series, 'The Walking Dead,' he was a small-time actor gathering a bit of attention through a conjunction of both mainstream and independent films - such notable titles being a small role in the tense thriller, '8MM' with Nicolas Cage, the John Hughes-penned drama, 'Reach the Rock,' and of course an early role opposite Mira Sorvino in the sci- fi thriller, 'Mimic.' But in 1998, he starred opposite Alan Rickman and Polly Walker in the rather strange, tautly-wound, independent, suspense film, 'Dark Harbor,' an eerily eccentric tale of forbidden love with only a select few characters inhibiting the screen throughout its duration.

The movie follows three characters woven into a sort of psychological array of hidden motives and blind attraction. Norman Reedus stars as a drifter who is picked up by a bickering married couple (Rickman and Walker) and finds himself getting stuck with the two on a rather isolated property in the south-eastern part of Maine. Along the way, tension grows and the shaky marriage begins to be questioned further due to the interference of the drifter.

The film features a haunting musical score by relatively unknown composer, David Mansfield, atmospheric locations, and a psychological foray into one of the darkest areas of the human mind. The film may not be one to revisit too often due to its dark nature, but it's certainly worth experiencing. I, for one, really respond to the movie's overall feel, or atmospheric tone, and relish in the director's intent to focus his story against a backdrop of moody and isolated locations for the purpose of extracting of his stars from the rest of the world. The DVD, released by Artisan Series in the U.S. and now out of print, features a commentary track by director Adam Coleman Howard which is essential listening if one enjoys this type of movie. It dives deep into the oddities on screen and assists in understanding the film's coveted structure. Check this one out, especially if you like suspenseful dramas with unconventional themes. The disc can be had for a reasonable price on the secondary market as of this writing and is worth adding to your collection - especially for you Reedus fans clamoring to see him outside his zombie-hunting escapades.

The first time I saw this movie I was bored to tears. Having bought it for a buck for my ingrained love of Rickman and Reedus, I wasn't expecting much, and that's what I got...at first. There's a twist ending, which made me cock an eyebrow and proceed to tell my fellow film lover friends the entire plotline. Though I warned them that it wasn't a good movie, they insisted I show them. I took a deep breath and prepared myself to be bored again. Instead I was enthralled, seeing the very subtle actions and expressions that foreshadow the ending, and hearing the dialogue with entirely new meanings. It was BRILLIANT! The pacing is slow, and yes the sound verges on sucking (get a home theatre system and turn it up really loud so you can hear all the good stuff). Once you overlook those faults, and see it the second time, you realize that this truly is one of those film gems that you treasure and bring out on a dark rainy night to show your unsuspecting friends. It's different, and obviously there are few out there who will really appreciate it. But for those of us that do, it's cherished.

The acting is phenomenal, the setting and cinematography are breathtaking, and every word of dialogue has a distinct undertone. I recommend it to everyone - you can hate me for it only AFTER you've seen it a few times - if you still don't like it...then see it again.

Having read some of the previous reviews, I was highly disappointed to see that not everyone enjoyed this film... Right now, let me tell you, if you are not an Alan Rickman fan, you may want to consider skipping this movie.

Being a hard-core Alan Rickman fan, I bought this movie before seeing it. When I watched it, I fell head-over-heels in love. The premise was simple: On their way for a weekend at their private island, a married couple helps an injured man on the side of the road. Dropping him off in the nearest town, they resolve to think nothing more of him. Thus, when he turns up on their private island, they are somewhat surprised. Polly Walker is the only real dud in the film... I'm sorry to say that she's British, to boot. Alan shines in this as he does in everything, and there's just something so loveable about Norman Reedus.

The ending *WILL* come as a shock. Unless you're incredibly perceptive (which, I consider myself to be, and I was shocked), you will not know what's coming at the end. Yes, the plot moves a bit slow. But the pace is necessary to establish the proper relational distance between Alexis and David Weinberg.

I loved it, I think you will too, so just give it a try!