Fragments [Import]

FRAGMENTS (AKA Winged Creatures) is an uncomfortable movie: the subject matter of spontaneous unsuspected violence and the subsequent impact on the lives of those who survive a near death situation is terrifying. FRAGMENTS takes a moment in time and then reveals how that moment alters the psyche and behavior of numerous people from children to adults. It is disconcerting to watch, but at the same time it makes us face the possibilities of how isolated cracks in the universe can alter our lives. As the tagline suggests 'You have to lose your way to find it.'

The film opens with a day in a Los Angeles diner where a gunman enters and randomly opens fire on the customers at the tables and the staff serving them and then kills himself. We are forced to watch this happen but through the eyes of the people attempting to dodge the attack. Among these are a waitress (Kate Beckinsale), a man seated at the counter being denied attention as he glances at his new brochures on dealing with cancer (Forest Whitaker), a doctor (Guy Pearce), a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who witnesses the murder of her father, a young boy (Josh Hutcherson) whose terror results in his becoming mute, among others. The film then abruptly clips to the fragments that remain - the lives as being lived by the survivors as well as their families - a cast of brilliant cameos by Jeanne Tripplehorn, Jackie Earle Haley, Robin Weigert, Jennifer Hudson and Embeth Davidtz. While none of the characters seem to be people about whom we would care under normal circumstances, the fact that the writer and director (Roy Freier and Rowan Woods) have placed us in the midst of the initial incident allows us to watch the strange transformations that happen to these people as a result of being struck by post traumatic stress - maladaptive behavior toward spouses and children, hiding behind becoming an instant religious zealot, gambling as a disease, and the other splinters the impact of murder and suicide observed at close range can cause. Very little is resolved by film's end but the film does force us to witness something that could happen to any of us and make us re-evaluate our values and abilities to cope with trauma. This is an ensemble cast film, strongly projected, and if the producers and creators of the film merely allowed us more time to get to know each character better the film probably would have been a success in the theaters instead of going straight to DVD. A provocative work. Grady Harp, August, 09

There have been inevitable comparisons to a slew of other films for this one, but in the end it manages to convey its own little message of loss and PTSD fallout (in various age groups).

The four main story lines and one subplot of a restaurant shooting are mixed into a time line of flashbacks and present day tapestry. For me, Dakota Fanning was the central character and had the biggest epiphany moment at the end, so I think fans of hers will be pleased. Forest Whitaker stumbled onto the set from his last four films of a similar nature, so I rate this on a higher element because of the editing alone, maybe the music and the moment of clarity given to the central story at the end. Since Kate Beckinsale's and Guy Pearce's characters were both totally unlikeable and despicable, I have to call this a Fanning film again.

The sound and picture are solid, but the supplement was inconsequential. I did listen to most of the commentary, but it was one of those that underwhelmed me. Four stars for the film itself, I feel a very worthy watch. Honestly, the reviews I read about re-analyzing the story and content do a disservice, without divulging too much I think you will get something out of this film. Once again a teen outshines the adults in a tapestry film; from Man on Fire to Hounddog to this - she proves her talent.

Fragments is a similar movie to "Crash" and "Babel" in that it juggles several stories simultaneously. The difference here is that we follow the stories after they diverge from a single violent act.

A man walks into a diner, pulls a gun, and starts shooting people at random. Some are killed. Some are wounded. He finally turns the gun on himself and the episode is over. We follow the aftermath of several of the survivors and how the incident has changed their lives.

This is a fine ensemble cast of veterans who all do a good job with their rolls. It's acted well and directed well. The music is somewhere between spooky and somber and doesn't intrude on the proceedings.

I suppose my problem with the film lies at the script level. We follow several stories but three of them are key and a couple of them I didn't really understand. The third (with Dakota Fanning) involved a particular point that maybe shouldn't have been so devastating to her and might not have been had she confided in someone who could have put it in perspective for her. I cannot articulate on any of them without being a spoiler so, anyone interested enough, will need to find out on their own.

That being said, this is still a good movie and well worth watching. At one hour and thirty six minutes it won't strain your time budget. Everything moves at an even pace. If you're into dramas this is a better than even bet for your attention.