poor

Rating: 1/10 (5 January 2008)

This film desperately needs an editor, but even with editing you would not come out with a dramatic, tension-filled conflict. It may be desired and may be hinted at, but there is no conflict played out by the actors in this film. What does this film mean? The oil man and religious never play off each other,they do separate scenes--usually kooky--but they do not relate to each other. Is it about greed? I thought the oil man was a hard worker and smart, and generous in what he offered to town. The religious aspect failed as a serious examination because of the bizarre acting. There was one interesting moment when Lewis brings up the little girl to christen the well and cheats the evangelist of his hoped for moment of fame.
The music is abominable; cliché use of themes for scary, moving, enormous, etc. It tells you what to feel but often what you simultaneously see on the screen does not match the music's dramatic theme. And, it overwhelms you--this is not a musical or an opera.
How could a film this poorly crafted get out of its cage?