Customer Reviews

Higher Ground (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Professional critics were fairly lukewarm toward this film, although even then, many acknowledged that elements within it are exceptional. For one thing, it is very unusual to see a serious work that treats religion--and a rather fundamentalist form of Christianity at that--seriously and without insult, irony, or undue reverence. Most films focusing on related topics either satirize people of faith (Saved!) or offer syrupy endorsements of faith Fireproof). Rarely is faith depicted as the mixed bag it often is. While "Higher Ground" doesn't have the same scope and grandeur, in that one particular--treating faith seriously--it reminded me most of The Mission (Two-Disc Special Edition).

I was surprised and delighted to see all of the five-star reviews already posted. My concern is that many people would miss the uniqueness of this film and mistake it for either a hatchet job (because church life and serious spiritual commitments are depicted warts and all--it's not all smooth sailing for this male-dominated, anti-intellectual sect) or an endorsement of fundamentalism (because it's not all bad, either--the movie just assumes that faith provides comforts, joys, principles, and experiences that can have transcendent value for those who hold to it).

Sexuality, which is often a hot topic for fundamentalists, is treated frankly and realistically, and consequently provides some of the movie's greatest moments of humor. C.S. Lewis wrote that Eros is a comic spirit, and "Ground" does not shy away from that aspect of life. It also shows a complex and authentically rendered family life that includes alcoholism, divorce, temptation, and the rigors and amazement of parenting. Too, it tackles illness and loss. It's a complete package...a touching and meaning-filled drama that will stick with you and will likely provoke some reflection and discussion.

From my own experience as a fundamentalist cut from a bolt of cloth not unlike the one featured in "Ground," I can attest to its overall accuracy and authenticity. I can also attest that, as with the main character, Corinne Walker, books, conversation, museums and personal independence can help lead one away from the less healthy, more smothering aspects of fundamentalism. In my case, those things led me to question my faith altogether and to reconstruct my life without it, and I am better and more happy as a result. We never see Corinne abandon her faith, but we don't see her giving up her quest for other, more expansive answers, either.

I think "Higher Ground" will be enjoyable to anyone open to identifying with someone who might not be just as they are. A fundamentalist watching it can perhaps gain a better appreciation for the kinds of things that might make that life seem stultifying to some people; and the skeptic or non-religious person might gain some sympathy for how faith provides a foundation for some people to cope better with life's existential trials.

For her directorial debut Vera Farmiga really delivers. Higher Ground is a drama that depicts the a woman seeking to come to terms with her womanhood, her spiritiuality, and faith. I have to say that it is very balanced in its portrayal of those who identify with fundamentalist religion and those who do not. It is the most even-handed film I've ever seen regarding Evangelical Christianity. The NYTimes reviewer agrees with me:

"There is something remarkable -- you might even say miraculous -- about the way "Higher Ground" makes its gentle, thoughtful way across the burned-over terrain of the American culture wars. The film, directed with disarming grace and sharp intelligence by Vera Farmiga (who also stars in it), is about the conflict between skepticism and religious faith, but it does not treat that battle as an either/or, winner-take-all proposition. Movies about belief and believers frequently succumb to woozy piety or brittle contempt, but "Higher Ground" belongs, along with Robert Duvall's "Apostle" and Michael Tolkin's underappreciated "Rapture," among the elect. Focused with sympathetic intensity on the ordeal of a single soul, it illuminates, as though from within, a complex spiritual struggle."

I went in expecting a very serious drama, but was pleasantly surprised by all the humor in this film. It is really quite funny in certain sections. On a whole this film does a fantastic job depicting a woman's struggle to redefine herself and her views on faith and spirituality, but with a lot of gentleness, and humor. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

This is a review of the movie DVD disc only.

The film doesn't have the look of a plotted, story-boarded narrative. There's no imposed arc or resolution to the gentle moments of a woman's life shown here. We see her low-key movement toward, and then away from, religious attendance.

Contrary to what the film's cover might lead one to believe, this is no indictment of another megalomaniacal cult leader. There are no bad guys here. This film does a remarkable job presenting a series of realistic, slice-of-life scenes. We feel as if we are eavesdropping in a woman's everyday kitchen, at her everyday church services.

The producers also did a remarkable job finding actors to play the lead as a girl, then as a teen, then as a mature woman. For once, there does appear to be a continuity of features, unlike most films involving time progressions in which it's impossible to believe that child grew into an adult who would look like that.

This whole film is absorbingly realistic and touching. As movie-goers, we might be used to more dramatic action, so it takes a while to calm down into the more reflective mood of this piece. For example, it was only when I viewed this movie through for the second time, that I caught the moving coincidence of the scene in which Corinne sits on her church steps, patting a stray dog who has temporarily attached itself to her.

This isn't a chick-flick. Nor is it a charge against religious fanaticism. Nor is it any kind of standard beginning-middle-and-end story. This movie is unclassifiable - like life itself.

I can't think of a movie in recent memory that has truly risen to treat the subject of religion. Vera Farmiga's new film, Higher Ground, does so with honesty, not reaching for an easy black and white resolution. It raises very relevant questions for anyone who has tried to reconcile spirituality with life in the modern world. And though the topic may seem austere, Farmiga does a wonderful job (as director and lead) of imbuing this film with subtlety and humor.

This is a must see. As other reviewers have pointed out, it treats the subject matter in a very non-judgmental way, simply portraying one woman's struggle without caricaturing the faith community. A unique perspective. I highly recommend this one.

If religion has effected your life in one way or another, this is a must-see film. It's a beautifully-shot, sensitively depicted story of a woman struggling with her faith. This film pulls no punches and shines light on a topic too often dismissed or dealt with in a glib fashion.

Higher Ground is a lovely and thoughtful film about Corrine, a woman who, after a bus accident in which her child is narrowly saved, becomes part of a small evangelical community in the 1970s -- a place that provides a spiritual home but also, for Corrine, is restrictive to her personal faith, her intelligence, her freedom. Farmiga gives a beautiful and delicate performance in this alternately funny and moving film. I've not seen a film look more honestly and fairly at religion in America (neither denigrating nor exalting) -- and at the individual's search for meaning in a challenging world.

HIGHER GROUND is a movie about "Faith": people searching for Faith, people struggling with Faith, and, finally, people coming to the realization that they never have had or never will have Faith.

Vera Farmiga both directed and stars in this engrossing drama about a young woman, pregnant then married at eighteen, who gives herself over to a New Testament church, only to eventually question the religious dogma she has embraced.

Based on the memoir, THIS DARK WORLD by Carolyn S. Briggs, HIGHER GROUND not only boasts an exceptional directorial debut and an award-caliber performance by Ms. Farmiga, but it also features a stellar cast that includes John Hawkes, Donna Murphy, Joshua Leonard and Norbert Leo Butz.

Extras on the 2-disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment include audio commentary by Ms. Farmiga, Joshua Leonard and producer Renn Hawkey, deleted scenes, a "Making of" featurette and a Q&A session from the L.A. Film Festival.

© Michael B. Druxman

There is a story embedded in this film, but it's largely overwhelmed by endless scenes of praying, praising and preaching. I'm not trying to disparage religion, but potential viewers should know beforehand what they're in for.

Having established herself as an actress of considerable talent, Vera Farmiga turned her sights on the director's chair last year and tackled a fairly weighty subject for her directorial debut. Higher Ground. Based on a memoir by Carolyn Briggs, Higher Ground also stars Farmiga as Corinne, a woman who enters a radical church upon getting married and pregnant at eighteen, only then to question her faith several years later as her marriage begins to fall apart. Like her Up in the Air co-star, George Clooney, it seems Farmiga's transition to behind-the-camera work was a successful one, as Higher Ground is a really good movie, it's a challenging first film with some strong performances, including, of course, Farmiga in the lead role. It's a quiet, thoughtful drama that touches on some philosophical dilemmas, so let that guide whether or not it's your type of Friday rental.