Crow review: A great cautionary tale of man’s need to respect nature and its beautiful history.
Crow review by Kat Hughes, Frightfest 2016
Crow Review
Nick Moran plays Tucker, a very wealthy man from the city. Out to prove himself, Tucker decides that an Englishman’s home is indeed his castle and he wants to build his own. Acquiring some lovely fields and forest land he embarks on the gruelling task of overseeing the development. His paradise has a slight problem though, the old farm house which is to become his head of operations currently has tenants. A clan of eco-warrior squatters had an agreement with the previous owner and aren’t happy about the new arrangement. Tucker is never one to turn down a fight though and chases them off of his property, but they don’t go far enough, and at least one of them has vengeance on his mind.
The Crow of the title is a teenage boy played by Tom Rhys Harries (Jekyll & Hyde). One of only two remaining members of the squatters, it is down to the young Crow to seek retribution for the crimes committed against Crow and his people. Crow is persuaded to fight for ‘his’ land by a figure who bears a striking resemblance to Terence Stamp (well, because it is Mr Stamp). Stamp is present as head ancient Crow, a mythic being who acts as Crow’s spirit guide, urging him to rise up and reclaim the land of his ancestors for his own.
Nick Moran is on top ghastly form. His Tucker an arrogant self-serving man whose own wife Alicia (Elen Rhys) doesn’t really seem able to tolerate him. A pigheaded person he won’t listen to reason from anyone including his wife and that is ultimately his undoing. Elen Rhys gives a engaging turn as Alicia who finds her loyalties tested after the forest affects her in an unexpected way.
Crow Review
Most of the scenes featuring Crow involve a lot of monologue work, the long speeches acting as both narrator for the audience and the inner workings of Crow’s mind. It is in these sections that Crow feels very much like a poem, but to music. These segments are oddly serine with just a slight undercurrent of danger, and they juxtapose brilliantly with everything involving Tucker. They are the antithesis of tranquil and subdued, being vocal, brash, angry and violent. Tucker has a short fuse and it’s on display every time he appears, even when he’s not facing down a potential threat.
Beautifully shot and styled, Crow highlights the true wonders that nature has to offer. The best of the British countryside is showcased. The forest of the film literally comes alive in several shots and the effects are stunning and effective.
Crow Review
Flitting backwards and forwards between the present and the recent past, Crow keeps the narrative engaging. Were the story to be strictly linear there would be a considerable lag to proceedings. Instead we get a twisting tale that shows the unfolding events from both the protagonist and antagonists point of view. In fact, once of the most interesting things about the film is that in many ways it’s hard to tell who is the hero and who is the villain of the piece. Most audience members will probably make this decision based on which character, Tucker or Crow, that they identify closer with.
Crow Review
Inevitably the two tribes go to war and it’s bloody and brutal. A recurring theme throughout is the divide between the natural world and the man-made world. This theme comes to a head in the final fight with surprising consequences.
Lead by a strong performance from Harries, Crow is a great cautionary tale of man’s need to respect nature and its beautiful history. Potentially slightly too arthouse in places for some of the masses, it’s an engaging and different kind of film to the norm.
Crow forms part of this year’s Frightfest programme.
