Music & Film Reviews
Megan Parker
My name is Megan and I am a student currently studying at
Exeter College in Devon. I plan to study Creative Writing next
year at Falmouth University in Cornwall. My passion within
writing is film and music journalism, and so I hope to bring you
first-hand reviews on the latest, upcoming motion pictures and
albums!
December Film Review - Horns
So, as Daniel Radcliffe steps out of Harry Potter’s cosy shoes
and begins to venture out into the unknown, we start to
establish his new-found maturity in the supernatural fantasy
thriller ‘Horns’. And let me tell you, he’s certainly escaped the warm and chummy charm of Potter;
it turns out he’s always been a devil in disguise!
Set in the breathtakingly crisp panorama of Canada, the
film begins with Radcliffe alongside his angelic childhood
love, Juno Temple. You may recognise her from various
and contrasting screen roles in her most distinguished
films such as ‘St. Trinians’, ‘Wild Child’ and ‘Atonement’,
which also shares the acquired themes embodied in
‘Horns’ such as religion, relationships, love, and loss of
innocence.
With no chronology, every scene of the film alternately
switches between the past and present, with the present
portraying the protagonist, Igg Parish (Radcliffe), in the aftermath of the violent rape and murder of
his girlfriend, Merrin (Temple). Along with his flashbacks of the past, which depict Igg’s fragmented
and religious childhood and the sceptical occasions leading up to Merrin’s death. Igg finds himself
in a state of distress and isolation as doubts of his acclaimed innocence surround him and we
follow him on a dark but satirical (and slightly drunken) trek through creepy dark forests and
stunning Canadian landscapes on a quest to convince the people of his hometown that he isn’t
quite the demon they think he is.
However, it can be hard to make the right impression when you wake up in the morning with two
devil horns on your forehead… literally!
As the storyline progresses, things begin to take a comical but twisted turn, particularly when it
comes to the confessions of the deepest, darkest and hilarious mental confessions of those who
come into contact with Igg, A.K.A Satan.
In summary, ‘Horns’ is an exhilarating and innovative
story which does exceptional justice to Joe Hill’s original
novel, by bringing it to life and capturing the essence
of its weird and wacky arrangement. You’ll find yourself
tumbling through emotional mountains of hysterical
laughter and melancholic tears of sympathetic sorrow,
so either way, it’s best to get the tissues out. Despite all
of this, the most significant point to make is that Radcliffe
can actually pull off an authentic- sounding American
accent!
Should you see this film? Why the hell not.
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