A boy is kidnapped. Five years later he is declared dead. A few days later he returns home. That is essentially the complete summary of this psychological slow burner, a fairly aimless film that makes up for its lack of compelling plot with suspense, beautiful cinematography, accomplished acting and presence.
If Nor'easter was intended as an intriguing, thrilling mystery it fails completely. The unanswered question that dominates the early sections of the film is answered quickly and without ceremony at the half way point. It is a short, easy to follow story that quickly unravels, to the point where it could have easily been made as a short film rather than a feature. The dialogue is functional and perfunctory. The characters seem to be complex, although their complexities are rarely explored. It is left to the imagination of the viewer, with the motivations of the protagonists unclear throughout and never really resolved. The death at the end feels tagged on, a lazy attempt to give the film some resolution and/or element of tragedy.
That isn't to say this is a bad movie, though. It is high on suspense, with the perpetual lull soundtracked by an eerie, foreboding score that hangs in the air like a mist. The scenery is perfect for the tone of the film, with the stark, northern, snowy rural locations adding to the sense of loneliness, isolation and inscrutability.
Liam Aiken steals the show by just being on screen, managing to upstage even the scenery with his callow, brooding beauty and jet black hair set back amongst the white snow and grey, perennially overcast skies. The lighting is atmospheric, although at times it gets a little too dark to the point where you are straining to see what is happening.
The rest of the cast put in solid performances, especially Richard Bekins who is suitably gruff and troubled and pained. David Call is competent, albeit slightly disappointing - his was the only character who went on any sort of journey in the film. A newly qualified priest escaping from a troubled past, his faith is confirmed when Aiken seemingly returns from the death, only to dissipate once more as things begin to dismantle and he is caught by the events that unfold. It is one of the more interesting roles, and he doesn't bring anything unusual or special to it. That perhaps is an apt summary for the film itself - interesting, unusual and atmospheric, but ultimately nothing special.
If Nor'easter was intended as an intriguing, thrilling mystery it fails completely. The unanswered question that dominates the early sections of the film is answered quickly and without ceremony at the half way point. It is a short, easy to follow story that quickly unravels, to the point where it could have easily been made as a short film rather than a feature. The dialogue is functional and perfunctory. The characters seem to be complex, although their complexities are rarely explored. It is left to the imagination of the viewer, with the motivations of the protagonists unclear throughout and never really resolved. The death at the end feels tagged on, a lazy attempt to give the film some resolution and/or element of tragedy.
That isn't to say this is a bad movie, though. It is high on suspense, with the perpetual lull soundtracked by an eerie, foreboding score that hangs in the air like a mist. The scenery is perfect for the tone of the film, with the stark, northern, snowy rural locations adding to the sense of loneliness, isolation and inscrutability.
Liam Aiken steals the show by just being on screen, managing to upstage even the scenery with his callow, brooding beauty and jet black hair set back amongst the white snow and grey, perennially overcast skies. The lighting is atmospheric, although at times it gets a little too dark to the point where you are straining to see what is happening.
The rest of the cast put in solid performances, especially Richard Bekins who is suitably gruff and troubled and pained. David Call is competent, albeit slightly disappointing - his was the only character who went on any sort of journey in the film. A newly qualified priest escaping from a troubled past, his faith is confirmed when Aiken seemingly returns from the death, only to dissipate once more as things begin to dismantle and he is caught by the events that unfold. It is one of the more interesting roles, and he doesn't bring anything unusual or special to it. That perhaps is an apt summary for the film itself - interesting, unusual and atmospheric, but ultimately nothing special.