Puritan

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.

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

The moment you start watching Puritan you are sucked into a journey of cinematic style and intelligence.

Its patient with you and never lets you know too much, just enough to keep you watching and intrigued.

Film noir plots are things we are all used to, but the possibility of variations and manipulation in these plot lines are infinite, that is why they are so satisfying and watchable, and these variations are completely fulfilled in Puritan with an assured confidence.

I particularly admired the minimalist approach to framing and coverage. Only what is needed is shown and used, a very brave thing to attempt as it could have backfired, but in this case it succeeds in a film that is gratifying in its simplicity.

This film has a lot going for it. A script that is smart and tight, actors that are performing at high and complex level and visual style that attains the heights of classic film noirs.

The use of shadows and contrast in its visual framing and also in the script is superb, the visual system is classical and reminded me of the Robert Townes classic Chinatown, wherein water was used as symbol of corruption in Chinatown, in Puritan, truth as a concept and also truth of character symbolised by Anne Grey, is a symbol that is regarded as lies, something not to be trusted. Many visual clues are used that work on you in many ways, the script is truly performing on multi layered levels, like all film noirs should.

The characters never say too much, just enough that is needed, an economy of dialogue that remembers the hard boiled film noir heroes of yesteryear, all framed in in deep reds and encased n blackest blacks. This film succeeds because it created a world for itself, where you believe the events that unfold, because the world that is created is convincing.

As with many of the reviewers I caught this at the Frightfest festival

This London Gothic chiller is loaded with a huge degree of suspense and intrigue. The tension is felt throughout the film, amplified by the exquisite cinematography and lush classical score.

David Soul, the man who was Hutch, dominated the screen with his magnetic presence, anytime he is on, you simply have to watch him. Nick Moran holds his own, delivering a truly intelligent acting piece to his portfolio. And the always steadfast Ralph brown acts the part with ease.

I have to say the ending completely blind sided me, the film is littered with a great deal of clues that deserves a second viewing. i shall be buying my ticket to check what i missed the first time.