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Review #395 of 365
Movie Review of The Last Sin Eater (2007) [PG-13] 117 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $10.75
Where Viewed: Harkins Cine Capri at Northfield 18, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 11 February 2007
Time: 9:45 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Michael Landon Jr. (Love's Abiding Joy)
Screenplay by: Brian Bird (Love's Abiding Joy) and Michael Landon, Jr. (Love's Abiding Joy) based on the novel The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Louise Fletcher ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") • Henry Thomas (Gangs of New York) • Liana Liberato ("CSI: Miami") • Soren Fulton (Thunderbirds) • A.J. Buckley (Happy Feet) • Stewart Finlay-McLennan (National Treasure) • Peter Wingfield ("Holby City") • Elizabeth Lackey ("Heroes") • Thea Rose (Kill Bill: Vol. 2) • Kim Myers (The Dust Factory) • Gabrielle Fitzpatrick (Farewell, My Love)
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Fox Faith Films releases its third film in short order on the tails of Thr3e and Love's Abiding Joy. This one, called The Last Sin Eater, was also directed by Love's Michael Landon, Jr., son of "Little House on the Prairie" star Michael Landon. By far the best of the three Fox Faith films released to theaters, this one stars Liana Liberato as Cadi Forbes, a pre-teenage girl who recently lost he younger sister in a terrible accident. Descendents of Welsh immigrants who left harsh climes for the beauty of an Appalachian mountain valley the residents affectionately call, The Cove, Cadi and her family, Ma (Elizabeth Lackey) and Pa (A.J. Buckley), live on a large piece of land which they use to support themselves through crops they grow and the weavings Ma creates on her loom. The story begins with the unexpected but peaceful passing of Cadi's paternal grandmother. As the body is prepared for burial in the traditional methods, Cadi's sadness over this loss and that of her sister deepens. At the burial ceremony she is reminded not to look at the Sin Eater (Peter Wingfield)--a cloaked figure of a man selected some 20 years prior by random lot to give up his soul toward the higher purpose of eating the sins of the townspeople upon their deaths so each might rise to heaven with absolution. When she hears the sadness in his voice, however, she cannot resist a glance at his face and into his eyes. At once she sees his humanity and this seeds doubt in her mind that he is as horrible and terrible as the folklore would have her believe.
"… the best of the three Fox Faith films released to theaters…There is a lot of material…to contemplate and consider."
As she thinks about what she observed in him, she begins to wonder if the Sin Eater might be able to absolve her of her sins and guilt surrounding the death of her sister now rather than after her death. This might then help her reclaim the affection of her mother she believes she has lost. Her mother certainly does seem to be holding her responsible for the tragic death of the younger sister. These thought fuel a dangerous obsession with finding the Sin Eater in the forbidden hills and caves up Dead Man's Mountain. Help in her quest comes from three: a slightly older boy with a developing mutual affection for her named Fagan Kai (Soren Fulton), a elder woman who holds not just the secret of the Sin Eater's identity but detailed knowledge of the brutal history of the clan itself named Miz Elda (Louise Fletcher), and a mysterious apparition in the form of a young angelic girl named Lilybet (Thea Rose) who appears to her and guides her from time to time. Lastly, a stranger appears in the river in the cove one day where Fagan has been known to fish from time to time who bears a book, The Bible, and what he claims to be the word of God. The self-appointed leader of The Cove clan, Brogan Kai (Stewart Finlay-McLennan), wants the stranger gone and forbids anyone from speaking to him. Cadi, already in deeply hot water after searching for and finding the Sin Eater bears no regard for Brogan Kai's rules and talks to the stranger (Henry Thomas). He reveals to her a bit of knowledge, that the Sin Eater is not necessary because over 1000 years ago, another man, the son of God, already died to absolve all humans of their sins of only they accept the word of God. Armed with this and the true history of her clan, Cadi convinces Miz Elda to join her in a plan to set her clan free of the baggage of their past, right the injustices of the creation of the Sin Eater, and heal another ghastly secret wound that has been haunting every descendant of the original clan since its immigration.
As has been true for the previous couple of Fox Faith productions, The Last Sin Eater bears the production qualities of films slightly better than a straight-to-DVD release. The acting, directing, and screenwriting are heart-felt but not glitzy or crisply commercial. The stories are carefully selected to appeal to audiences of the Christian faith, though, honestly, they all have had an undercurrent analogous to those of Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Better stated, they all have ancillary messages and ideas that many Christian families might prefer their children not see until they are a bit older. This film is rated [PG-13], and I would accept this rating and not permit younger children to see it until they are ready to handle the content and make better sense of the imagery. As mentioned, this film is a bit better than its predecessors. This is predominantly due to the acting of Liana Liberato and Louise Fletcher. They young Ms Liberato is really the star of the film despite billing credit order. It is her character's story, and she delivers on her role with only occasional bouts with excessive poutiness. Louise Fletcher, still best known and remembered for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) proves herself to be one of her generations most unsung talents. Even in this relatively inconspicuous film, she beams with talent and prowess of the veteran actress she is. Both women, Ms Liberato and Ms Fletcher deserve consideration for future roles in films that will further capitalize on their skills. As for Ms Fletcher, it would be outstanding to see her cast in a role that might otherwise go to Dame Judi Dench or Helen Mirren. She will prove herself on par with their talent.
Overall, the film had several good messages and life lessons that go beyond the Christian faith and spill over into a common good for humanity which will appeal to all people with a strong faith in God and belief in the inherent capacity for good in all people. It was, at times, a tad slow and disjointed—a result, no doubt, of trying to do justice to the praised Francine Rivers book. As we all know, distilling a book down to its essential elements for the screen is a worthy challenge and nearly always met with dissatisfying results for fans of the book. If anything, The Last Sin Eater, probably tries to take on just a little too much with the net effect of decreasing the impact of some of essential elements vs. others. There is a lot of material, in the end, to contemplate and consider.
As has been true for the previous couple of Fox Faith productions, The Last Sin Eater bears the production qualities of films slightly better than a straight-to-DVD release. The acting, directing, and screenwriting are heart-felt but not glitzy or crisply commercial. The stories are carefully selected to appeal to audiences of the Christian faith, though, honestly, they all have had an undercurrent analogous to those of Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Better stated, they all have ancillary messages and ideas that many Christian families might prefer their children not see until they are a bit older. This film is rated [PG-13], and I would accept this rating and not permit younger children to see it until they are ready to handle the content and make better sense of the imagery. As mentioned, this film is a bit better than its predecessors. This is predominantly due to the acting of Liana Liberato and Louise Fletcher. They young Ms Liberato is really the star of the film despite billing credit order. It is her character's story, and she delivers on her role with only occasional bouts with excessive poutiness. Louise Fletcher, still best known and remembered for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) proves herself to be one of her generations most unsung talents. Even in this relatively inconspicuous film, she beams with talent and prowess of the veteran actress she is. Both women, Ms Liberato and Ms Fletcher deserve consideration for future roles in films that will further capitalize on their skills. As for Ms Fletcher, it would be outstanding to see her cast in a role that might otherwise go to Dame Judi Dench or Helen Mirren. She will prove herself on par with their talent.
Overall, the film had several good messages and life lessons that go beyond the Christian faith and spill over into a common good for humanity which will appeal to all people with a strong faith in God and belief in the inherent capacity for good in all people. It was, at times, a tad slow and disjointed—a result, no doubt, of trying to do justice to the praised Francine Rivers book. As we all know, distilling a book down to its essential elements for the screen is a worthy challenge and nearly always met with dissatisfying results for fans of the book. If anything, The Last Sin Eater, probably tries to take on just a little too much with the net effect of decreasing the impact of some of essential elements vs. others. There is a lot of material, in the end, to contemplate and consider.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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Other Projects Featuring The Last Sin Eater (2007)
Cast Members
Louise Fletcher
• Henry Thomas • Liana LiberatoSoren Fulton
• A.J. Buckley • Stewart Finlay-McLennanPeter Wingfield
• Elizabeth Lackey • Thea RoseKim Myers
• Gabrielle FitzpatrickCo-Screenwriter / Director
Michael Landon Jr.
Co-Screenwriter
Brian Bird
| Book | ||
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The Last Sin Eater (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Fox Faith Films releases its third film in short order on the tails of Thr3e and Love's Abiding Joy. This one, called The Last Sin Eater, was also directed by Love's Michael Landon, Jr. and is, by far, the best of the three released to theaters. Starring Liana Liberato as Cadi Forbes, a pre-teenage girl who recently lost he younger sister in a terrible accident, the film follows her story beginning with the sudden passing of her grandmother, and the forbidden look she take at the ceremonial Sin Eater's face during the burial setting in motion events that threaten the peace of her clan of Welsh immigrants in her idyllic mountain cove. The Last Sin Eater bears the production qualities of films slightly better than a straight-to-DVD release. The film surpasses its predecessors due to the acting of Liana Liberato and Louise Fletcher as Miz Elda.
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