Puritan

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.

Very Cool Flick! Saw this little beauty with my pals at the Frightfest festival in London. And I have to say to all my fellow film freaks and freakettes, this is a class act all the way.

The film just for starters looks just goddamned gorgeous, you could take any frame of it and hang it in a gallery, i just loved the use of colours, red, red and oh yeah...red. Just beautifully atmospheric and stunning.

Moran holds the film together on his broad acting shoulders, I have wondered what happened to this dude over the years since the whole lock stock scenario, but he has come back with a really strong movie. Ms Georgina Rylance is a major hottie and a great actress to boot, but its the HUTCH man himself who steals the show, with a rip roaring performance as the evil Eric Bridges. This dude is totally underused, someone please cast him in something else.

The director is assured and his framing is solid, composed and powerful, he would fit right in to making commercials, cut from the same cloth as Ridley Scott, Alan Parker et al: but his film has a lot more depth than those 2 guys, am I exaggerating? No. I think this young gent is one to watch.

Go and watch it, but make sure you are concentrating as it needs your full attention, a real high class film noir!

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.

Stunning film! I viewed this film with my boyfriend yesterday at the Frightfest Film festival and without doubt it was my favourite film of the entire festival.

The director introduced it along with the whole cast Nick Moran, Georgina Rylance and the iconic David Soul.

The film is calm, cool and collected, and I cannot believe it has been made in the UK, it feels like it came from the states as it really has a cinematic look and the plot is working on many levels than just moving from a to b. It twists and turns and never reveals itself and long after you have left the cinema you are thinking about it and discussing all the possibilities of its plot line.

The director said they shot it in 21 days which staggers me, because it is so beautiful to look at and so professionally done, my hats off to him and his amazing cinematographer.

This is the kind of movie the British film industry should be making, and its so good to hear an independent film maker has gone out there and done it completely of his own accord. Go and see it, i think its going to be one of those films that will become a favourite.