I have a love/hate relationship with A24. I really like some of their movies (like Midsommar), and then I don't (like Under the Skin and A Ghost Story). This movie definitely had an interesting concept. This priest absorbing the idea, "Will God forgive us for destroying his creation"? It was an environmental message, through the eyes of the church. The character development of Ethan Hawke's character was very well done. He went from wanting to prevent this man's death for the same reasons, to basically falling into the same situation as Michael. I also felt really bad for Toller. Watching him pee was very uncomfortable, seeing how much pain he was in. And even by the time he goes to the doctor, he had already basically given up. The doctor told him not to drink, but he did anyway. He fell into the "what's the point of living" ideology. it gave me chills. Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer helped round out a very solid supporting cast. However, my only qualm with the movie, is the ending. Ending with Toller and Mary making out, and immediately cutting to black? Did not sit right with me.
Review of First Reformed
