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Silent Storm, The (2014)
Stars: Andrea Riseborough, Damian Lewis, Ross Anderson, John Sessions, Kate Dickie, Derek Riddell.
Director: Corinna McFarlane
There are times (perhaps too many?) when it is difficult to understand why some films are chosen to be premiered at the London Film Festival except (and I freely admit to the accusation of critical cynicism) that, when they are subsequently marketed to paying cinemagoers, the movies in question can be promoted as having been screened at the London Film Festival
It has taken two years for writer-director Corinna McFarlanes embarrassingly dreadful 2014 melodrama to be foisted on the paying public.
Its hard to see why.
No fewer than 16 producers (executive and co-) are credited.
They could well outnumber satisfied filmgoers subjected to their and McFarlanes efforts which deliver the near-perfect film to recommend to someone you loathe.
The setting is a remote Scottish island some time after World War Two (a white Mini allegedly establishes the period) where increasingly deranged preacher Damian Lewis (The whole community is looking to me!) makes life increasingly hellish for his wife (You are a Devils witch!) Andrea Riseborough.
Out-and-out raging melodrama that makes Lady Chatterleys Lover at its most lurid seem positively serene is catalyzed by the arrival of juvenile offender Ross Anderson who, sent to Lewis rectory for rehabilitation, is forced into brutal hard labour by the clergyman
and a patently predicable affair with Riseborough
The story is overwrought and undernourished and as rocky as Lewis unlikely Scottish accent and even occasional good acting by Riseborough and some attractive cinematography (Ed Rutherford) fail to make it either convincing, interesting or worth paying to see.
The sole point of interest is the top billed executive producers are Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of James Bond fame. They would be lucky in the extreme to receive a critical rating of 007 out of 1000 for The Silent Storm.
Alan Frank
UK 2014. UK Distributor: Sony. Colour.
102 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 15.
Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 2, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 2.
Review date: 22 May 2016