Pharoah's Army
posted August 1, 2008 10:00 AM
Screened at Montreal. The Civil War provides the backdrop for a character study involving a decent Union captain (Chris Cooper) and a bitter Southern woman (Patricia Clarkson) whose farm his unit commandeers for food and supplies while her husband is off fighting for the Confederates. The two distrust each other, but outside events force them to reexamine long-held beliefs and animosities.
The intent of Henson, who has made documentaries but never a fictional feature before, is to shade the two sides and show that good and evil can't be so easily designated, and "Pharoah's Army" (loosely based on fact) can't be faulted on that score. It's honest and unsentimental, but it lacks grit and rawness and plays more like a finely mounted TV MOW. The cast is good, but they're not given full rein to flesh out their characterizations; too often it seems they're dressed in period garb but not inhabiting their roles. "Pharoah's Army" is intelligent but never digs deep. Starring Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Kris Kristofferson. Directed and written by Robby Henson. Produced by Doug Lodato and Robby Henson. A CFP release. Drama. Unrated. Running time: 90 min.
The intent of Henson, who has made documentaries but never a fictional feature before, is to shade the two sides and show that good and evil can't be so easily designated, and "Pharoah's Army" (loosely based on fact) can't be faulted on that score. It's honest and unsentimental, but it lacks grit and rawness and plays more like a finely mounted TV MOW. The cast is good, but they're not given full rein to flesh out their characterizations; too often it seems they're dressed in period garb but not inhabiting their roles. "Pharoah's Army" is intelligent but never digs deep. Starring Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Kris Kristofferson. Directed and written by Robby Henson. Produced by Doug Lodato and Robby Henson. A CFP release. Drama. Unrated. Running time: 90 min.
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Rich B. said:
Mr. Schwatzberg - you're full of ****!!
April 10, 2009 9:19 AM
Glenn Buttkus said:
Make it 3.5 stars and you might come close to the film. It has set on my shelf for years, and I just got around to watching it. As an ex-actor myself, I must say that you are wandering in ignorance if you felt that Robby Henson, a theatrical director with his own theater company, could not direct actors. Every role was fleshed out completely; well written, directed and acted. It was produced on a shoestring, yet it is a handsomely mounted production, with excellent cinematography and musical score. Chris Cooper and Patricia Clarkson were at the top of their form, and the supporting players were wonderful. A small personal tale told large, both allegorical and feeling accurate for the history in it. Watch the movie again, sir, and keep the big budget films like COLD MOUNTAIN out of your consciousness.
November 8, 2009 4:17 PM