"Noah" Review

One of my biggest weaknesses in procrastinating comes from the TV screen; no matter where I am, if a movie is playing, I have to watch. So while writing this review in the waiting room of the doctor's office, "Evan Almighty" played in the background. Oh, the coincidence...how exquisite. Let's talk about Noah.

Russell Crowe stars as the titular character in an adaptation of the Biblical story. Noah is a righteous man, commanded by the Creator to build an ark and take his family and a pair of each animal onboard before a flood wipes out humanity, whose sins have cursed the Earth, convicing the Creator to wipe the slate clean and start anew. Opposed by his family's desires, an evil tyrant, and his perceptions of humanity and himself, how will he complete this seemingly impossible task?

Before I go into the movie, I feel I must add a disclaimer (as if there weren't a surplus of those attached to this film). This is NOT a strict Biblical interpretation, and it's not trying to be. Characters are added, liberties are taken. While some Biblical ideas are explored (humanity's sinful nature), the spirit of the story differs from its source material. Oh, and there are CGI Rock Biter look-alikes from The Neverending Story.

The film was criticized by Christian groups for these differences to the point that Paramount Studios had to adapt the trailer to include this disclaimer: "The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis."

At first glance, Darren Aronofsky seems an odd choice for this kind of project: he doesn't seem the kind of director to spearhead such a colossal story. I'd expect a Ridley Scott or hell, even Spielberg. However, after seeing the final product, Aronofsky captures the story's Biblical scope perfectly. From the landscapes to the exodus of animals to the flood, I found myself feeling very small. Humanity feels shrunken down, ruled by forces too big to fathom. Even the tyrant Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) comes off less a formidable force and more like Scrappy Doo painfully unaware of his limitations. The film is bigger than our characters, and while time is spent developing them, the film is quick to put them in perspective with the big picture.

The film is a visual wonder: from gorgeous mountain shots to time lapses of a river, each effect and shot has context, purposefully placed to elicit an emotional reaction. Noah's instructions from the Creator are shown in dreams; they flash from image to image, abstract and stylized. These images are subject to interpretation and Aronofsky's re-interpretations of these as the story progresses create some of the highlights of the film: subtle, clever, and perfectly contextualized.

Russell Crowe's Noah fascinates me: he carries a sense of hopeless devotion. Everything he does, as painful as it can be, he does out of dedication and loyalty to the Creator. Crowe treats Noah like a puppet aware of the strings: he knows his place in the universe and acts with the big picture constantly in mind, no matter if it hurts him or those he loves. While other actors would carry the stony-faced appearance and leave it at that, Crowe allows vulnerability to slip through the cracks. It's the self-sacrifice that drives his character and makes me admire him.

Now, this movie is in no means perfect; the story can get a little too soap-opera at times, jumbling between simple sub-plots. Also, Anthony Hopkins' Methuselah, while hilarious and charming, becomes a human Deus ex machina, used to clumsily resolve a plot or move the story along. While Aronofsky fills the first half with visual splendor, as soon as the cast goes in the ark, the sets and imagery get choked off. The film could've used a little more consistency in that regard.

I'm sure some of you are reading saying, "Daniel, this review is nice and all, but what the hell are you talking about? Rock Biters?!" Don't worry, my dears. I've saved the best for last. I refer to the Fallen Angels who descend from heaven in order to teach the basics of industry and technology to humanity. Betrayed by the sinful humans, the Fallen Angels hide away, returning only to help Noah build the ark (what? how else would a middle-aged man, his wife, three sons, and adopted daughter build a 450 foot long boat in a reasonable amount of movie time?).

I like the Fallen Angels' design: the movie explains that because of their disobedience in interfering with humanity's development, the Creator curses their celestial form, covering them with rock and mud, pinning them to the Earth. The image conveys a fall from grace, humbling the previously heavenly beings, tying their fate to that of humanity and the rest of the world. As characters, they're not too fleshed out but their faithfulness and lumbering power makes me really like them. Simply put, I want one.

Noah is one of those movies where my expectation turns a 180. I walked in thinking big-budget mediocrity. I left praising a visual masterpiece. Aronofsky takes advantage of the medium, letting the images tell the story over dialogue. While not perfect, I found myself blown away by the spectacle, fascinated by Noah, and impressed by the interpretation of a tale I've been familiar with since childhood. It definitely puts an old story in a new light, and I highly recommend it. Thank you all for reading, I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.

Noah trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmj5mhDwJQ