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    Devil's Knot

    Reviewed by
    pietroantoni@

    I don't know how much of a dramatic thriller DEVIL'S KNOT would have been without the superb direction of Canadian Atom Egoyan. The film is based on a 1993 infamous incident in Arkansas. A well received book on the case is known by many as is the superior documentary based on the killings from 1993. As said, it is a case very well documented in the media so director Egoyan had to find a way of relating this horrendous story of infantile, gruesome slayings while not only keeping up our interest but keeping the tension ever building. Egoyan deftly differentiates Arkansas illusion, its 'so-called' truth from the reality of the situation at hand. We are horrified by the lack of dutiful police work, as shoddy as shoddy can be. The film keeps us hanging in the balance as it explores fundamental issues like community feelings and behaviour, the sense of miscarriage of justice ( how the defenseless and poor don't get a fair shake in the eyes of the law!) So dominant is how religion and spirituality vs. the dark powers of the occult throw a town into panic mode and out for blood! We are quite literally sickened as each factor of the crime is brought to the light of day. The further beauty of the film is that Director Egoyan examines this case from many perspectives, everything seemingly a tangled mystery with so many overlapping possibilities. From conjecture to theories, from a rash of ridiculous ideas to a rush in judgment we are kept in knots and constantly dangling in the balance. NOTHING in Devil's Knot is simple and direct. It all seems an unfathomable nightmare. That's what makes the picture work especially for those who are already acquainted with this nauseating, nasty case. The film's ultimate brilliance is that though we know this case can't or will never have closure or a final resolution, we HANG ON for dear life in the hope that justice will prevail! Colin Firth, whom I admire immensely and a very pregnant Reese Witherspoon are most believable in their roles as are the many seedy characters in charge of this case, hell bent on filing charges at whoever fits the bill just to keep a town quiet and satisfied that those in charge are doing their duty and that justice is being done. How IRONIC it all is!

    9
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    pietroantoni@  19.11.2014 age: 36-49 14,540 reviews

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