Take

TAKE is yet another superb film that suffers from lack of promotion and PR. It is a compelling film, intelligently written and directed by Charles Oliver (his first venture in both roles!), contains some of the most subtle and powerful cinematography (by Tristan Whitman) to partner in the intensity of the story telling, a musical score by Roger Neill that enhances the work without drawing attention to itself, and a cast of absolutely first rate actors offering some of their most brilliant performances to date. For the sophisticated film lover this little treasure will likely echo the question "Why didn't we hear about this fine work?"

Oliver elects to present this story of two disparate characters whose lives of quiet desperation cross at a moment in time that alters the emotional growth of each - an event that is the parallax for the viewer just when the parallel lives of these challenged people have been explored by means of a nonlinear method of storytelling. Ana (Minnie Driver) works at multiple menial jobs to augment the small teacher's salary of her husband Marty (David Derman) in order to support the Special Ed school their challenged son Jesse (Bobby Coleman) requires. Concurrently we meet Saul (Jeremy Renner) whose expenses in caring for his ill father and his gambling debts drive him to performing criminal means of finding money. For much of the film the audience is unaware of the connection between these two people whose pasts have collided and who both must come to grips with a situation that almost defies description. In many ways the drive of the story is a sensitive journey toward understanding the need for forgiveness and the necessity of finding a greater meaning to the absurdity of life with all of its random acts of violence.

Minnie Driver gives a delicately multifaceted performance as the mother, a performance as memorable for her extended moments of frozen silence (captured so exquisitely by cinematographer Whitman) as for her episodes of emotional explosion. 11-year-old Bobby Coleman proves to be one of our finer young actors before the camera today. Jeremy Renner, usually assigned to parts of evil men such as his portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer, his role as the despicable villain in NORTH COUNTRY, THE ASSASINATION OF JESSE JAMES..., etc), here manages to hold the viewer's compassion despite the deeds he commits. Adam Rodriguez shines in an important cameo role as the prison chaplain attempting to help Renner's character find meaning, Rocky Marquette stuns as a cashier victim in a brief but sensitively nuanced appearance - the list of credits is long. But the main kudos must go to Charles Oliver for writing and realizing this brilliant little film. If this is his first outing as a writer and as a director, we have in our midst a sleeping giant! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 09

I rented this film because I love Minnie Driver - and she pulls off a compelling performance in this painful and rewarding dramatic film.

I don't want to give too many specifics or risk ruining the power of the film - so I will abbreviate the summary on the back of the DVD which says: "...the struggling mother of a 7-year-old special needs student...dedicated to preventing her son from being lost in a system ill-equipped to handle him...Saul...a hopeless gambling addict, working a dead-end job to care for his ailing father...in a desperate fight against time...forced to take drastic measures to escape dire consequences. In the course of two pivotal days - one past and one present - both will confront their own personal demons and seek in each other the healing powers of forgiveness."

This film is rated "R" for "some violent content with intense emotional impact" - I find that surprising since the film itself is relatively "clean" throughout - at least in terms of conventional considerations - minimal language, no sex, and even the "violence" is rather minimal. But this is not a film for the faint of heart. Nor is it sheer "entertainment."

If you are looking for a popcorny, distracting, film of suspense and intrigue? You will be met instead with a sweeping film that in some moments is thrust forward by plot (and yes, violence), but in most others is an opportunity to enter into these parallel lives that intersect at one crucial moment, at a moment of desperation, and to walk with them through the ramifications of that moment -

The film raises questions of God's control - why does he allow evil? is he in fact powerless? or does he just not care? where does guilt come from? how does one who is given one "plan" for life that includes suffering and hardship look at the life of another person's "plan" which includes a wholesome upbringing? and how does this impact their decisions? their ability to know God? to forgive?

This movie is not a distraction FROM the hard things in life; it is a well-crafted and moving work that opens a door to allow us to walk INTO the hard things in life - to set aside our popcorn and leave our ingratitude for the blessings in our own life "at the door of the theater" so to speak. And instead, to open our eyes and confess that "There but by the grace of God go I."

In fact, that very phrase was resonating with me throughout most of the film, and I found myself moved to tears as the song playing over the credits in fact expresses this precise sentiment.

I HIGHLY recommend this film - and suspect nevertheless that it will not be seen by very many.

As a Christian, also, I think it would be of great benefit to other Christians - especially "raised in the church" - to view this film, and engage in a discussion about its weightier themes, up to and including the nature of "justice" and "mercy" in a world where ALL of us are born in sin.

Typical of earlier Jeremy Renner movies, this one was a fresh/different story that you don't often see. The story, as well as actors in their roles, moved me. I don't often find every character in a movie affecting me emotionally in one way or another. It brings attention to a social dilemma that is not often dealt with in film, i.e, the emotions of the person accusing someone of a crime that lands them on Death Row AND the doomed criminal's feelings regarding what he's done that results in his facing Death. This is a movie you don't want to "Pause" and I'm surprised I didn't hear more about it before I purchased it.

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