Brimstone

"Brimstone" is one film that arises emotion and stays in the viewer. The long and realistic story is one of the gloomiest, most depressing, cruel and unfair without redemption ever written. However, let me make clear that the film is excellent and the viewer shall not give up watching in the beginning. The screenplay divided in four parts - Revelation, Exodus, Genesis and Retribution - is perfect, disclosing the non-chronological saga of the protagonist Liz / Joanna. The cast is magnificent, with Guy Pearce representing the personification of evil and Dakota Fanning difficult to be recognized in the role of a "cursed" woman, supported by Carice van Houten and Kit Harington. The locations, costumes and cinematography are top notch and the haunting music score is also magnificent. The only question that remains is how might be the heart of someone that writes such a story? My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Amaldiçoada" ("Cursed")

Not an easy film to watch, but well worth the effort if you can stomach all the hardships our infinitely sympathetic lead has to endure.

One catastrophe after another befalls poor Dakota Fanning, mainly thanks to ONE OF THE WORST HUMAN BEINGS EVER TO WALK THE FACE OF THE PLANET (Guy Pierce doing a top notch job) and the inherit sexism of the 19th century.

Yep, this is the kind of downright despicable depravity you won't see on those Sunday afternoon Westerns your grandpappy falls asleep to. If you like the typically sanitised Cowboys vs Indians in a romanticised setting, this ain't for you.

On the other hand, if you fancy being dragged through seven shades of hell before emerging to blink on the other side feeling every emotion possible... then saddle up, pardner. Have I got the movie for you.

This film tells the story of a woman who cannot speak many years ago in a small town in the United States of America. She endures the many horrors that life has put her through, and it all started because of a priest.

The long runtime put me off watching it for​ a few weeks, but I finally got myself to watch it. I can honestly say that every minute of the film is worth watching, and every minute of the film affected me right to the core. I won't spoil any of the plot, so all I'll say is that. I cannot imagine so much misfortunes can be bestowed upon a person, yet the presentation of this horrid story is so very believable. It feels like I'm watching someone's life up close, and what happens to her makes me sick right to the core, right from the start to the end. The events portrayed are truly horrifying, and I'm still paralysed by Shock and disbelief minutes after watching it. Acting is great by Dakota Fanning and Guy Pearce, they make their characters shine. I cannot imagine a monster as sick as this character in the film. I am still having headache and palpitations from the evil character. I honestly can't remember when was the last time I felt so sick because of a film.

Watch this film if you have the chance, but watch it alone and when you feel strong enough for a very depressing emotional challenge.

It is interesting to see the shear amount of negative reviews here, while I think this movie portrays a very realistic scenario in a lawless US at that time. It still portrays a realistic scenario in some parts of the world today. Its unrelenting violence and utter hopelessness reminds me a lot of a famous novel by Kosinski: the painted bird.

If you came here to see your typical 100 in a dozen Hollywood happy ending movies, better move on to something different. Seriously. This movie will make you sad, hopeless and angry at the same time.

If you want to descent into the dark part of human-kind, here on full display in all its naked ugliness, go see it. It's masterful in my opinion.

My advice is don't watch this before bed because you probably won't sleep, but if you do sleep, expect nightmares! You think I'm joking, I'm not!! After saying that you'd expect a bad review but to be honest I thought this was a great film with a fantastic story, it's just very hard to watch.

What can I tell you other than you won't find it an enjoyable experience because it's deeply unsettling, disturbing, brutal and savage, but it's still an extraordinarily gripping film and Dakota Fanning especially is mesmerising.

I didn't watch a trailer before embarking on this journey into hell but I had read a couple of reviews but it still didn't prepare me for what was to come, so be warned! Saying that don't think there is gore and brutality thrown about simply as a shock factor. It's all very relative to the story, and one very twisted character which makes it so immersive and powerful.

An excellently made film and a gripping tale expertly told, incredibly acted out by a great cast.