Rent A Gentle Creature (2017)

A gentle creature - anything but a gentle watch - SPOILER REVIEW - A Gentle Creature review by KS

I found this a riveting piece of cinema, keeping me hooked till the end. The eerie foreboding sense of doom was never far away and somehow heightened by what I would describe as bright, large vista cinematography which still managed to match the sense of loneliness of the main character even when surrounded by her fellow citizens for the majority of the film. The editing helped here too, the slightly longer scenes keeping me on tenterhooks as to what would next befall the gentle creature.

As a carefully crafted piece that purports to show the inhumanity of modern Russia I think this worked to show this very well. Some highlights (highlight meaning how well this worked as cinema as opposed to making me feel good because there was precious little of that anywhere) were the singer on the train; what a voice! And the monologue by the human rights worker; it just felt crushing and even though I know this is exactly as the director intended, it was still a thought-provoking piece of cinema and made you think about how inhumane and cruel people can be.

***SPOILERS***

I have read about criticisms about the end sequence but don't have a problem with it at all; the human rights worker scene above was still resonating in my mind as I saw the final sequence unfold and for me I did link what happens to the main character (which is important to feel) rather than only being a metaphor for the rape of the people by those in power.

A film that leaves you subdued for some time afterward but it will definitely make me want to seek out the director's other films too.

A Gentle Creature - A Gentle Creature review by drwho

I really enjoyed this,its a long hard watch but worth it,one for the true fans of gritty movies,worth a watch for sure

And now for something different, in a good way! - A Gentle Creature review by TE

A fascinating film that challenges the audience in brave and interesting ways. Very much a film for people who believe that one of the functions of art is to disturb us and make us think.

The story in itself is very absorbing and is enhanced by some excellent cinematography. It is hard to write about 'A Gentle Creature' without giving away key elements of the narrative, but suffice to say that much of the final 20-25 minutes is taken up with a dream sequence that has divided critics.

Personally, I did find this sequence too much of a jarring change from the highly realistic body of the film. However, it is just an exaggerated version of the critique of modern Russia that is the theme of the whole movie, so it is at least consistent.

There are many haunting sequences in 'A Gentle Creature', and Loznitsa is definitely "one to watch" in terms of groundbreaking World Cinema.

The disc contains an interview with him, and a very useful talk by a UK film writer.