A little while ago, I wrote a comment about the amazing
atmospheric horror of Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa. In
films such as "Cure" and "Pulse," ordinary people are confronted
with enigmatic, strange, and usually deadly forces beyond their
control. To Kurosawa's credit, these strange events are never fully
explained, keeping the audience unsettled and in suspense.
In The Mothman Prophecies, a similar effect is achieved, and
largely upheld throughout the film. In the tradition of "The Exorcist,"
"The Shining" and other good examples of atmospheric horror,
strange events are parlayed and witnessed by a helpless
protagonist (played listlessly by Richard Gere). The buildup of
tension and the unexplained is intense, and the filmmakers do a
good job of keeping you on the edge of your seat.
However, like Richard Gere's character, we too wish to find out the
secret behind the enigma. In films like "The Exorcist" and even
Kurosawa's "Cure," the nature of the beast, or supernatural
menace, is subtly explained through either exposition, or a few
pivotal scenes. Unfortunately, this is where "Mothman" fails to
deliver.
There is a need, or a desire to learn more. However, in the film's
third act (or lack thereof), a good chance to sum up events, or at
least bring some narrative closure to the proceedings, is avoided.
Instead, the filmmakers opt for a lavish disaster scene straight out
of a Hollywood disaster movie, and top it up with a Hollywood
ending. Not only is this completely out of place, but, as I
mentioned, it skirts the real issues at hand. Who is "the Mothman"
or "Mothmen"? Is there a greater significance to their existance?
We will never know. Personally, I didn't care after the end credits
began to roll - I felt cheated out of a decent third act.
Still, as a curiosity piece, "The Mothman" does have its moments.
Watch for a scene in which Gere shuts a mirrored closet - for a
split second, an ominous red face appears in the reflection (much
like the face in "The Exorcist"). For me, this singular moment of
good atmospheric horror made the trip almost worthwhile.
Almost.
atmospheric horror of Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa. In
films such as "Cure" and "Pulse," ordinary people are confronted
with enigmatic, strange, and usually deadly forces beyond their
control. To Kurosawa's credit, these strange events are never fully
explained, keeping the audience unsettled and in suspense.
In The Mothman Prophecies, a similar effect is achieved, and
largely upheld throughout the film. In the tradition of "The Exorcist,"
"The Shining" and other good examples of atmospheric horror,
strange events are parlayed and witnessed by a helpless
protagonist (played listlessly by Richard Gere). The buildup of
tension and the unexplained is intense, and the filmmakers do a
good job of keeping you on the edge of your seat.
However, like Richard Gere's character, we too wish to find out the
secret behind the enigma. In films like "The Exorcist" and even
Kurosawa's "Cure," the nature of the beast, or supernatural
menace, is subtly explained through either exposition, or a few
pivotal scenes. Unfortunately, this is where "Mothman" fails to
deliver.
There is a need, or a desire to learn more. However, in the film's
third act (or lack thereof), a good chance to sum up events, or at
least bring some narrative closure to the proceedings, is avoided.
Instead, the filmmakers opt for a lavish disaster scene straight out
of a Hollywood disaster movie, and top it up with a Hollywood
ending. Not only is this completely out of place, but, as I
mentioned, it skirts the real issues at hand. Who is "the Mothman"
or "Mothmen"? Is there a greater significance to their existance?
We will never know. Personally, I didn't care after the end credits
began to roll - I felt cheated out of a decent third act.
Still, as a curiosity piece, "The Mothman" does have its moments.
Watch for a scene in which Gere shuts a mirrored closet - for a
split second, an ominous red face appears in the reflection (much
like the face in "The Exorcist"). For me, this singular moment of
good atmospheric horror made the trip almost worthwhile.
Almost.