Customer Reviews

Passion of Darkly Noon [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

The passion of darkly noon is a beautiful movie that draws you in to its gorgeous locations and settings, before revealing the truth behind its lovely exterior.

Darkly noon (Brendan Fraser) is a young man whose family was brutally shot and killed, while the local townspeople where busily mutilating the religous sect he was from, Darkly noon, an innocent, rather child-like individual escapes. We find him running through a set of jewel-like lush forests where he collaspes and gets picked up by Jude. A young man who delivers supplys to Callie(Ashley Judd) and Clay (Viggo Mortenson). Two lovers that live for themselves in little house where Clay builds coffins for a living.

Callie sees the distrough and feverish Darkly and decides to take him under her wing. This is the start of a passionate desire that Darkly developes for Callie, who does nothing but try to be a mother and friend to him. Enter Clay, who lets Darkly stay on after Callie's insistance and tries to draw the younger man out of himself and his moody persistance of silence.
Darkly's anger and resentment towards Clay, and Callie's love for him comes to a head when he sees the couple kiss. Not knowing how to deal with the desire and anger that is pervading his body, Darky runs off into the wood to get away and try to get a grip on his emotions that are overrunning his soul.

There he finds a woman that we find out to be Clay's mother, and who accuses Callie of being a witch. Her reason being that she killed her husband, and stole Clay away from her with her seductive charms. Darkly listens, and grasps onto her words like a drowning man. Beliving that it is not he that is in the wrong, but Callie, for she is truly a witch, and has cast a spell on his soul. Having grown up in very religous atmosphere, Darkly believes his lust is from the Devil, and that Callie is trying to tempt him to his death. Visions of his dead parents help to reinforce such beliefs, and Darkly goes on a rampage of death and destruction.

The ending to this movie relieves some of the darkness that penetrates this film, but not much. Its a sad ending no matter what happens, and it is doubtless that either way with this movie turns out will leave you feeling rather depressed.

As a side note, this movie does have some rather intense scenes, such as when Darkly covers his body with barbed wire, wearing it like a coat. The end sequince where he takes off his shirt and we see the decaying flesh around the punctures is rather, well, much. However, the movie was very well written, with riveting performences from Brendan Fraser, Viggo Mortenson and Ashley Judd. The score for the film is really haunting also, which only enhances the overall effect of the movie.

A very good movie for not only fans of Brendan fraser, but those that enjoy good movies and well written plots.

This oddball film is not for the taste of everyone, and even fans of Viggo Mortensen and Brendan Fraser might not care for it, though the should appreciate the fine performances from these talented actors.

Darkly Noon is not the description of a time of day but the name of Brendan Fraser's disturbed character. He is the product of an overly religious parents. When they are murdered, Darkly escapes to the forest and is later found and taken to a couple Callie (Ashley Judd) and Clay (Viggo). They are lovers, which quickly becomes the centre of Brendan's problem and their nightmare. His religious upbringing disdain they are living "in sin", but as Judd nurses him back to health, he becomes obsessed with her. The conflict of his physical desires, the growing obsessed clashing with his religious teaching pushing him over the edge. It is easier to believe she is a witch twisting his mind, than to deal with his own feelings of jealousy and sin for wanting her.

Amazing film, when Fraser, Judd and Mortensen were not the powerhouse names they are now. Fine performances from them all.

Something that you either love or will hate, but doubt anyone will be unmoved.

"For now we see eachother through a glass DARKLY..." states 2nd Corinthians 13:12, and that's really how you have to view this movie. In order to appreciate its uniqueness you have to understand its subtle dark side. Fundamentally it's about how a situation unveils the repressed desires (I should say 'passions') of a young 'christian-cult' man, and exploits the consequences of those 'passions' once they are realized and unleashed. In short, a film that I'm sure most human-beings can relate to albeit to a lesser degree (one would hope anyway!) It has some magical moments: the silver shoe, the cave with its 'part-of-time' and the dressing of ones self in barbed-wire, to name but a few. But that's really the tip of the ice-burg to Mr Noons passion. Whilst watching this film I was struck by Ridleys portrayal of raw human emotion, built around a solitary setting that adds to this films errie atmosphere and serves as the muse for its poetry, leading to a rather 'explosive' end of events. Fraser really stands out with a fantastic performance through out. He really embodies the two attributes of a shy, stuttering boy and physco-monster avenger that make Darkly dark (excuse the pun) that you really don't know whether to side with him or hate him. Whether you've just discovered Frasers talents, admire Ridleys work or just love errie, atmospheric films, this one's a must.

By the by, if anyone knows where I can get my hands on the films soundtrack (especially the PJ Harvey song) I would be indebted for life.

This is one dark movie (no pun intended) I have watched the movie several times and the more you watch it the more you begin to understand the dynamics. Brendan Fraser spends most of the movie as an innocent, bible cult follower, stuttering houseguest of Ashley Judd who nurses him back to health when his cult is attacked. The most interesting thing about this movie is you can tell the EXACT moment his character turns evil. I was amazed at Mr. Fraser's turn-on-a-dime acting ability. The ending does leave you scratching your head, but Mr. Fraser's character and performance is like no other movie he has ever made.

This film has a very simple plot that says nothing new but it serves as a platform for a beautiful piece of film making art.

A young man, Darkly Noon (Fraser) who has had a very strict religious upbringing, runs in terror through the forest where he is found, rescued and taken to an isolated cabin in the depths of the forest. There, he meets Callie (Judd) who befriends and takes care of him.

Darkly has never before seen a woman like Callie and he finds that she arouses feelings in him that he thinks are very wrong. Later, when Callie's lover Clay returns, Darkly spies on them. Believing that what they are doing, is as wrong as what he finds himself doing, he is torn between his strict upbringing and a his new feelings.

Callie and Clay are the only two people in a position to help him but they remain oddly unaware of the explosion that is building inside Darkly. Eventually, he can take no more and exactly what you expect to happen does.

It's not a new storyline but the film is carried by Ashley Judd's acting and some wonderful cinematography. The forest becomes a weird, threatening and surreal place where Callie reigns like some irresistably lovely fairy queen. Judd gives the character a credible mix of open friendship and compassion while being fully and unquesioningly committed to her mute partner Clay.

The first time I saw this film I was confused. The second time intrigued. I have now seen the film seven times and still watch it like I have never seen it. I experience so many different feelings when I watch this movie. I do think a different actress other than Ashley Judd would have been a better choice. Not enough "oomph" there when she acts. Although Brendan Fraser was excellent. His diversity in acting is unbelievable. I too, like "Darkly" have developed my own obsession with this movie as well as the actors/actor in it. Any information on where to purchase the soundtrack would be appreciated.

The other reviews offer fair warning. This is a tough film and not for everyone. For some viewers this will be a very good film. For others a waste of time. For me, well worth while.

Wild and sometimes incomprehensible beauty runs through the photography, scenery, characters, and story. The beautiful girl has a very dangerous innocent sexuality that can torture men. Fraiser's naive innocence about his own primal passions and "normal people" and indeed his own consciousness is utterly tragic and frightening. His pain is both sympthetically touching and disturbingly distancing. The scenery is wonderful, but keeps reminding us of remoteness and isolation. There is lots of beauty in paradox, or contradictions.

(Interesting touch that he stutters awkwardly in his new world with the people who have rescued him, but does not stutter in his own internal conversation with his dead parents.)

I have yet to find a film that makes such excellent use of actors who then go on to diverse careers. Brendan Fraser, Ashley Judd, Viggo Mortenson, and Loren Dean were (as far as I know) relative "newcomers" when this film was made; since then, all of them have established healthy reputations as solid actors. The plot, an escapee from the massacre of his cult family/community trying to deal with his obsession for a free-spirited young woman living with her lover in the middle of a vast forest, is innovative simply because there never seems to be a chance for his true salvation. It's the ultimate clash of two worlds, hyper-conservatism and borderline paganism. The cinematography is superb, the locations where the film was shot are breathtaking, the soundtrack is simply incredible, and the editing echoes the mounting chaotic tension of the plot. I'll confess, I first watched the video because I'm a fan of Brendan Fraser; now I try to keep up on all of the actors in this film, simply because of what they were able to communicate through their characters. It's a good example of pushing oneself as an actor, and how to do it right.

A must-see for fans of Brendan Fraser, Ashley Judd and Viggo Mortenson. Otherwise, save your money and your time. Ridley's effort here plays like a master's thesis in film rather than a professional effort. He should refer to his film library for ways to show madness growing other than the absurd use of the silver shoe or the actual visual presence of Darkly's dead parents - up in a tree? Please. Despite this criticism, it's most likely your only chance to see Brendan Fraser stutter, experience hopeless longing and masturbate on screen ever. Ditto for Ashley Judd's uninhibited sexual encounters with Viggo Mortenson. I think we can guarantee that you'll never see her thighs photographed that way ever again or see her on screen with unshaved armpits! Despite the poor quality of the film overall, these two young actors come off well.

I have to say, I have seen better Brendan Fraser, but, this was a side to him I had not yet seen. Kuddos to Ashley Judd as well. I specifically enjoyed the psycological progression Darkly walked through. From chuch choir boy to self mutilating monster. But, this movie rang one theme throughout. It was a wonderful illusration on how anyone can do anything given the right circummstances and stressors. And Ashely Judd's character definately was a source of stress for Darkly. Poor soul, never had a chance with her limited wardrobe. I tried using the method Darkly's parents did to name him. If I actually named them the words I came up with, things would be miserable on the school payground with all the teasing. HOpe I didn't go too far. For Fraser fans a definate viewing is recommended. Just to see the scope of his abilities.