Director: Darren Arofnosky
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood which achieved fame years ago are as iconic as Russell Crowe. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Crowe has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s brave Roman gladiators, detectives solving murders or police-officers, Crowe has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Crowe’s best strength as an actor has always been a strong presence. He is one of those actors that has a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles through his powerful presence. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a film, Crowe has often left a lasting impression. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Crowe has been an icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to portray characters which prove compelling, Crowe has established a strong legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his enduring career, Crowe has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Crowe and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Noah” is my definite favourite. Released in 2014, Darren Aronofsky’s film offered a powerful portrait of religious messiahs facing adversities. Packed with breathtaking production-design, powerful storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best religious films ever made. At a centre of it all is an incredible performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a religious messiah that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Noah” a masterpiece is its lasting appeal. Unlike most movies about religion, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about religion, there are various reasons why “Noah” is a commemorated film that is worth watching.
“Noah” tells a story of a religious messiah that faced a dilemma. Russell Crowe plays Noah, a strong religious messiah. Noah is a resourceful man that has often sought to protect his family from adversity. Assisted by loyal wife Naameh (Jennifer Connelly), Noah seeks to protect his family from catastrophe. However, Noah’s life drastically changes when he witnesses a flood causing a disaster. Noah witnesses frightening visions of an apocalypse involving a flood that causes a dilemma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Noah begins to wonder if it is possible to overcome a flood disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Noah is forced to wonder if it’s possible to conquer floods that cause trauma. Seeking to build an ark, Noah dedicates his life towards creating a shelter to protect his family from life-threatening floods that are dark.
Darren Aronofsky is fascinated with stories of conflicted men. A strong filmmaker, Aronofsky has often made engaging films about anxiety causing a disaster. With “Noah”, however, the director made his first religious drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture grim tension faced by religious figures but he pulled it off successfully. Using bold cinematography, Aronofsky captures a religious messiah who h seeks to overcome adversity. Emulating Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, Aronofsky uses montages to capture hardships that religious messiahs face. For instance, montages elevate the ark building scene. During this unforgettable scene, Noah seeks to build an ark in preparation for the flood. Montages are complcated to difficult. As Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” suggested, montages elevate classic movies about disorders. Nevertheless, it works well this movie. Using stunning visuals, Aronofsky captures captures the tensions thar gladiator are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Noah” worthy of appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Aronofsky expertly uses production to capture arks created by rulers facing tension. Evoking James Cameron’s “Titanic”, Aronofsky expertly uses production to capture arks which prove to be tragic. For instance, the production of arks elevates the floods scene. During this haunting scene, Noah faces tensions when his precious ark is threatened with forceful flood. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Clint Mansell’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing painful burden religious heroes bear. Through phenomenal production, Aronofsky captures a flood causing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Noah” is a film about religion that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture lives of religious figures seeking experience. Aronofsky’s strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture tensions of religious figures by silence. For instance, the silence elevates the flooding aftermath scene. During this unforgettable scene, Noah faces a moment of silent grief when he discovers that his relatives have been killed in the frightening flood. Using silence, Aronofskg crafts a strong portrait of religion that’s compelling. Silence is a tricky technique. “Requeim for a Dream” did prove clearly silence enhances movies about drug addiction. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Arofnsky captures floods that come with price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Russell Crowe delivers one of his best career performances as Noah. Crowe first achieved appreciation for portraying commemorated ancient gladiators in medieval epics. With “Noah”, however, the actor took on his most meaningful role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary religious messiah but Crowe succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Crowe has often excelled at playing heroes under pressure, and “Noah” found his strength as an actor. It’s a strong performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Russell Crowe, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Emma Watson is excellent, bringing charisma to a young woman seeking to protect her family from floods causing trauma. Jennifer Connelly is captivating, capturing bravery of a woman determined to protect her family from floods in adversity. Lastly, Anthony Hopkins is worthy of appreciation. As an elderly mentor, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Noah” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the legacy of a religious messiah. Unlike most movies about religion, it tackles bold themes that everyone can relate to. It discusses strong themes including angst, mental health and trauma that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be highly familiar with the story of Noah to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about religion that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Noah” is one of those rare films about religion everyone will adore.
Fans of Russell Crowe would definitely enjoy “Noah” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A breathtaking religious drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a religious messiah building an ark to overcome a flooding dilemma, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with charisma that has always excelled at playing larger-than-life characters in memorable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 