This latest offering from John Michael McDonagh is an unusual turn for the man that treated us with such great dark comedies as “The Guard and Calvary” — a director that is skilled with finding humor in the bleakest of situations. “The Forgiven” is cut from a different cloth though, but not as much as one would think. Here we have a film that paints itself with the tag of being a suave and sexy/sophisticated thriller set in a vibrant mythical land, with a couple of acting stalwarts leading the way. It’s a strange film to watch because it feels largely unsure of what it actually wants to be, throwing comedic curveballs at us and delving into a world of sex, drugs, and alcohol. What even is this film? It’s only slightly interesting enough to allow us to find out.
What “The Forgiven” has going for it is demanding performances from its leads – which really are the best aspects in a myriad of questionable decisions. Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain establish themselves early on as the film’s shining lights. Their venomous relationship key to the film’s dynamic. However, the moment they become separated is where they really begin to shine. Based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne, “The Forgiven” follows David (Fiennes), a cynical Brit with more money than sense and a big chip on his shoulder. Right by his side is Jo (Chastain), his younger, disapproving trophy wife who despises this man she calls her husband. While they’re driving to a party in Morocco, the couple accidentally kills a young Moroccan man while intoxicated. This sets the wheels in motion for the rest of the film.
Different Stories Taking Place
The hosts of the party are Richard and Dally (Matt Smith and Caleb Landry Jones), an eccentric gay couple. They live an exuberant lifestyle in an illustrious mansion in the middle of the desert. However, they are soon dragged into the mess their careless friends have found themselves in. It turns out that this fresh corpse was a somebody. He was the son of a respected Nomad (Abdellah Taheri) who wants reparations for his son’s premature death. He decides to take David back to his home and give him the wake-up call he has needed his entire life, and his son a worthy burial. It is now that the performances from Fiennes and Chastain begin to flourish. Left to their own devices and finally alone with their thoughts, their inner journeys wander down very different paths.
There are two different stories taking place for most of the film. On one side is a story of redemption (the road to perdition if you like) into the mountains with the allure of potential atonement. This is the story that keeps us interested because of its unknown. We are in David’s shoes, clueless about what the road holds. This is the thriller that was promised to us.
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And on the other hand, we have a story about lust and a rather uninteresting one that involves Jo and her sexual desire for a younger, more appealing man (Tom Day). An adulterous relationship you say. We’ve seen it all before, and this wasn’t exactly experimentation of new ground. It is just a load of incessant ramblings involving a group of people who think they know everything, fueled by a white class superiority complex.
A Slow-Burner that Will Only Appeal to Some
When these ingredients are mixed, however, like the alcohol and drugs seemingly ever-present at this villa, it produces an interesting cultural contrast. It is purposefully presented this way. The traditions of a conventional life compared to the destructive and carefree nature of modern-day imperfections; the fireworks against the nomads, this white “upper-class” society of miscreants set against a backdrop of historical importance — it’s a riot.
Jessica Chastain in “The Forgiven.” (Photo: Roadside Attractions).
The element of mystery should be an important angle for the film, but it’s nowhere in sight. The plot just becomes more obvious as it trundles along. It certainly lacks muster — a mystical land such as this isn’t always enough to electrify it, you know. Everything is a bit strange, with its misguided use of comedy. Not only doesn’t it feel right, but it’s not funny, and there really isn’t much worse than that.
What even is this film? Is it a stylish thriller? No, because it’s largely uninteresting. Is it a dark comedy? That’s a question that has already been cleared up. Ahh, how about an erotic drama about lust and love? Even then it is held back by very short reigns. It is more like a film about growth, self-discovery, and even respect; aspects that hit David like a tonne of bricks, with his character arc being the most effective aspect of the whole film. If you’re able to stomach a slow burner where not much happens apart from decent acting and highlighted life lessons, then “The Forgiven” might just be the film for you.
“The Forgiven” was released in the US this past July. It is set for a September 2 theatrical run in the UK.
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