by Eric James
Staff Writer
Films today often revolve around a series of sins or people breaking the laws of God. How often, however, is a movie written about a person purposely setting out to break all Ten Commandments?
That is the plot of the new film Commandments, written and directed by Daniel Taplitz. The result is charming and darkly hysterical.
Seth Warner (Aidan Quinn) has lost his wife, his house and his job. He believes that God has something against him. He therefore decides to go against God and break all 10 of his commandments.
Along for the ride is his sister-in-law Rachel (Courteney Cox) and her husband Harry (Anthony LaPaglia). Harry narrates the tale.
The breaking of the first five Commandments is funny, but not wholly original. It is the breaking of the last five commandments where the film has its most fun.
Quinn delivers one of his finest performances in the film, and he does not allow his character to become pitiful. His wide-eyed hopes of breaking the rules is wonderfully captured, and every moment with him is a delight.
Cox also makes an impressive turn as a woman who is caught between her husband, her dead sister and a man who seems to capture her interest and takes the time to notice her. She is the innocent who is unjustly trapped in the crossfire. It is through this, however, that she grows.
It is Harry, though, who grows the most. LaPaglia, returning to his previous standard of excellence (save a couple of roles), makes the film. His humor is as slanted as his morals, and he revels in his most torrid of moments.
Harry believes he knows who he is and where his place is in the universe. His wife also seems content, to an extent. It takes Seth's questioning of God and all that is supposedly "right" to make them look at themselves and realize that they are as lost as Seth.
The cinematography by Slawomir Idziak also adds much to the film. Often washed in tans and golds, the film takes on a glowing state. He makes skyline shots of New York look as mystical as Babylon, which suits this modern biblical tale.
Note as well that Joseph Vitarelli has crafted a delightful and beautiful score much in the style of Rachel Portman. His use of clarinet is joyous, while the strings are stirring. Scores are meant to add emotion to a film, and Vitarelli succeeds well beyond the usual swelling orchestras.
Taplitz has created an interesting film with Commandments, and I believe he brings something truly unique to the screen. The film moves at an even pace, but never becomes slow.
He has balanced the humor and the drama of his film well, making it entertaining and not preachy. The ending is a stretch, but it is also biblically appropriate.
The film is not "Christian," however. It is about change and people coming to terms with what they believe in, not only with the universe, but within themselves.
It will make you think, and with summer coming, that type of film will be hard to come by.