WARWICK SHOWCASE

HERETIC 
* * ½
(Religion Mixed With Horror)

Heretic starts out with a most interesting idea, a frightening older man questioning the faith of two young and naïve Mormon students.

The two “sisters” (Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher) visit the imposingly dark and dreary home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) upon his request for more information about the Church of Latter-Day Saints.

It’s a dark and stormy night and the threatening mood is quickly established as Mr. Reed throws out some uncomfortable questions and begins questioning their faith.

The first half of the movie is a bit talky, but the talk creates a frightening mood as the girls feel trapped, not only by Mr. Reed’s probing questions, but also by discovering that they are locked in the house.

Mr. Reed has developed an elaborate scheme to push his visitors to the limits of their beliefs, asking the question, “What is the one true religion?”

He produces and quotes from the Bible, the Torah, the Book of Morman, and other literature, comparing them to the origins of the marketing of Monopoly.

He marks two doors “Belief and Disbelief” asking them to choose one and enter.

The doors lead to a dungeone-like basement where he tests their faith with an unbelievable scenario.

This is where the movie, in the words my mother used to say, “goes to hell in a handbasket.”

What was a fascinating discussion of religion, faith, and belief, turns into a gory, violent slasher movie that goes on too long and ends insanely.

Another great idea and three great performances killed by writers who couldn’t come up with a better ending.

NETFLIX

THE WHALE
* * * * *
(An Oscar For Brendan Fraser)

We loved the Oscar-winning performance of Brendan Fraser in the emotion-packed drama, “The Whale,” when we saw it at the Showcase about a year ago.

We loved it so much, Joyce and I both gave it a rare five stars.

The movie is now on Netflix and not to be missed. I watched it again and found things about it I had missed or forgotten the first time around.

Fraser plays a homebound morbidly obese on-line college professor who spends his days reading stdents’ essays.

He is obsessed with a particular essay on Moby Dick, relating it to his own miserable life.

Involved in his life are a caring nurse/friend, a young missionary, his rebellious daughter, and an unseen pizza delivery boy. And eventually, his estranged wife.

Our protagonist is dying but continues to gorge himself and put himself in situations that cause his blood pressure to rise as we learn more about his former life, marriage, relationship with his daughter and his monosexuality.

“The Whale” is a compelling, poignant story about coming face to face with yourself and your actions.

It moved me even more the second time around.