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June 20, 2008
The Reaping (2007)
Should I see it?
No.


Short Review: The reeking.



Hilary Swank portrays Katherine, an ex-Christian missionary, who spends her time debunking claims of miracles with scientific explanations. Katherine is called to a small southern town that is being inundated with what appears to be replicas of the 10 plagues from Exodus. Sure, there’s lice instead of gnats and the plagues occur in the wrong order but the point is made. Katherine, who has left her faith, is forced to confront her disbelief as each plague ticks off one by one.

Yawn.

The thing about the plot is that it relies on the the stupidity (or arrogance) of its main character. Katherine is shown to be an intellectually aggressive woman with a sharp mind. She travels around the world and is capable of exposing miracles as bunk with ease. All this and she’s still incapable of the intellectual jump that although if she can explain the scientific reasons for the ten plagues that these reasons don't deny the existence of God. Just because you can explain how something happened doesn't mean you've excluded the hand of the Almighty. If she were a missionary, given to the faith she claims to have had, this logical connection would have already been made.

Unfortunately, it is not remarkable to report that a mainstream film places theological concerns on the back burner in order to promote a sophomoric plot. It also isn't shocking that this film doesn't have a deep regard for its Christian characters or the its Biblical source material. Most Christians in the film are shown to be cruel southern booger eaters who spit out condemnations every time they speak. They even go so far as to have the Christian leader be a sweaty, pig-faced Boss Hogg type (complete with all white suit). They’re all thoughtless, impulsive, gun-toting morons who will believe anything – they also don’t pray, mention Jesus or show any reverence towards God at all. Since I’m on the subject of the townsfolk, I’ll also mention they’re all white. You know, just like the real south. It’s nothing but a bunch of angry white Christians sweating on their shotguns waiting to string someone up.

What’s interesting is that this film begins with a depiction of the city of Concepcion in Chile. The city is shown to be a horrid third-world toilet which is being poisoned by an evil corporation. This depiction has nothing to do with the real Concepcion which is modern, clean and apparently free of toxic waste. Did the filmmakers bother to investigate any of the peoples or locations they decided to show in this film?

At least they spread their ineptness equally.

This film also abuses Biblical text for cheap thrills. The plagues don't have a Biblical foundation, and Exodus isn't even quoted. This nonsensical flick offers no connection between the original plagues and the mess this film prattles on about. I’m not against the use of the plagues, but if you’re going to pull from the Bible you better have some context that makes sense IN LIGHT OF YOUR SOURCE MATERIAL. Some of us take this is the word of God after all.

Even forgiving the rather offensive disregard the filmmakers have for the Bible, this film is still an unmitigated disaster. The clunky script doesn’t provide any suspense or mystery. The dialog is functional but doesn’t have any depth or interest. The plagues themselves aren’t visually arresting and aren’t handled to their maximum effect. We’re looking at Biblical plagues and its boring – they actually make them boring.

It’s my recommendation that you skip this film. It doesn’t have the intellectual weight that it should and since it also doesn’t offer any guttural thrills, it can only waste your time.


Related Reviews:
Another Hilary Swank movie
The Gift (2000)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Cinema de Merde
Reel.com

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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 7:45 AM




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