Noah (2014)
Certified: 12A
Duration: 139 minutes
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Anthony Hopkins, Douglas Booth, Leo McHugh Carroll, Kevin Durand, Dakota Goyo, Marton Csokas, Madison Davenport, Nick Nolte, Mark Margolis, Frank Langella
KRS release

Noah (Russell Crowe), one of the descendants of Adam and Eve, seems to be in touch with the world: he lives off it but uses only what is needed without waste or excess.

The world is growing more and more devoid of life and it’s in this environment that he and his wife Naameh (Jennifer Connelly) are raising his three children – Shem (Douglas Booth), Ham (Logan Lerman) and infant Japeth (Leo McHugh Carroll).

At one point Noah begins to have visions that bring him great sorrow and through one of these, he realises that a great flood is coming. He seeks counsel from his grandfather, the very old Methuselah (Anthony Hopkins).

The Creator sends Noah a message that he is to build an ark in which to shelter pairings of every creature that have not sinned against the Creator.

With the help of his wife and sons and Ila (Emma Watson), a young girl he had rescued from death years before, he sets to carry out this task. He is also helped along the way by the Watchers ­– creatures or angels who have been confined to earth.

Peril lies in the form of Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) who is the chief of a savage tribe descending from Cain. Tubal-cain believes that the world is no longer being watched by the Creator, so man can do whatever he pleases. If the floods arrive, he intends to take the ark from Noah.

Noah also believes that the flood will mean the death of mankind. Hope rests on Ham bringing in Na’el (Madison Davenport) as his wife in the ark. However, all depends on whether Noah is really communicating with the Creator and really understanding what he is saying.

What I remember from the story of Noah stems mostly from the catechism lessons back when I was a kid. It mostly can be summed up in the following keywords: ark, two of each of all the animals of the world, birds, loads of water and a rainbow. It all seemed to be such a happy event on the colourful Bible picture book I had, but even at such a young age, I was doubtful about how all these animals could fit and live together on one boat for many days.

It’s the way God speaks to Noah in visions and portents, and how Noah tries to understand the visions He sends him, that are sometimes flawed

Over time, I have come to look at this account as a sort of legend that actually means something else, and I think that director Darren Aronofsky is of the same mind frame. I am not sure to what extent he has taken liberties with the story but he is here asking questions. The film is about one man’s search for God and for meaning in what happens around him.

This search is a recurring theme in Aronofsky’s films. The only difference is that here he has a bigger budget which he uses well to provide a spectacle of epic proportions.

His vision is fantastic in nature; just take a look at the wastelands and the Watchers to get an idea of the film’s fantasy trappings.

Yet at no point does the director not take the source material seriously; this is why I believe that much of the hullaballoo and controversy that was raised prior to the film’s release was needless.

The director even harks back to the Genesis to show us the Creation story which is an incredible sequence.

The film’s emphasis is naturally on Noah and Crowe fills the role perfectly. He is not the sweet-natured, bearded man of the catechism books. He is a driven man, a man with a purpose who communicates with God.

It’s the way He speaks to him in visions and portents, and how Noah tries to understand the visions God sends him, that are sometimes flawed. Do we see and feel that mankind deserves to be saved?

The cast as a whole is accomplished. The ark is an impressive object that was built on a Hollywood sound stage in accordance with the specifications found in the Bible.

The rock-like Watchers, voiced by Frank Langella, Nick Nolte and Mark Margolis, are impressive.

The special effects are superlative with several standout sequences, including the arrival of the animals and the storm. The resulting film is fantastic and heartfelt, dark yet filled with hope.

Noah deserves to be seen on the big screen as it is a bold attempt at moviemaking, the like of which we have rarely had the chance to enjoy. It also says a lot about mankind: times may have changed, technology has given us better tools but we are still asking the same questions.