Written by Charlytte Morrone.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
Like the storm the film depicts, news and publicity have swirled around “Noah” ever since its director Darren Aronofsky first undertook the project. Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Douglas Booth and Logan Lerman, 2014’s “Noah” is Hollywood’s latest adaptation of the biblical story concerning Noah and his ark. For those who are unfamiliar with the tale, in the Bible God tells Noah to build an ark and bring into it two by two all the animals of the Earth so that they may survive the flood and the destruction of mankind. After the rains, Noah and his family and all their animals are to populate the new world.
It’s been a while since a Bible-based film of this magnitude has been created, and “Noah” utilized all the tools of modern day filmmaking technology. The film incorporates CGI and other special effects features not seen in past biblical movies.
Some have compared the film to Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart” with its similar lighting and intense fighting sequences. But while the CGI and lighting and other technological perks certainly upped audience’s anticipation, one has to wonder whether not “Noah” would have garnered as much attention were it not for its biblical roots.
Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe might’ve helped spur excitement as he took on the leading role of Noah. His great performance helped keep the movie from coming across as an overdone Bible narrative and instead turn out as a feature fit for the big screen. The casting directors were spot on as well with Jennifer Connelly who played Crowe’s onscreen wife, Naameh. Connelly portrayed Naameh with grace despite her not being role’s obvious choice. Admittedly I’m not her biggest fan, but I was impressed by her performance.
Crowe and Connelly portrayed their characters well, but this wouldn’t be a true Hollywood production if it didn’t have some romance. Thankfully Emma Watson and Douglas Booth delivered, the two of them playing lovers Ila and Shem respectively.
Director Darren Aronofsky’s vision was clear in his realistic portrayal of the story and the time period. Although he did notch up the intensity by adding a few more gruesome elements to the story that were at times hard to watch.
Many of his shots were filmed in Iceland, which enabled the crew to capture the story’s natural setting as realistically as possible. The ark was also realistic. Astonishingly, the boat was built as a life-size model, allowing the actors to work aboard an actual ark.
Diane Huskins, an audience member from North Carolina, mentioned that despite the film’s great visuals, she was disappointed by the fact that the writers had to “Hollywood” the movie by adding characters and plot twists not mentioned in the Bible. Her friend Lynn Powell, also from North Carolina, added that given the times we are in Hollywood should make more movies like this because it gives nonbelievers “a place to start” and believers “a chance to delve deeper” into the Bible.
Whether you’re Christian or not, you can take away a message from this epic story, for at its core “Noah” is a story about family.
The film was captivating and attention-grabbing, so Darren’s task was accomplished as it caught my attention and it got me talking about it. Isn’t that what any director wants?
