Elephant (2003)

Recommended

USA

Feature Film

Writer/Director: Gus Van Sant

Cinematographer: Harris Savides

Cast: Alex Frost, Eric Deulen, John Robinson, Elias McConnell, Jordan Taylor, Carrie Finklea, Nicole George, Brittany Mountain, Alicia Miles, Kristen Hicks, Bennie Dixon, Nathan Tyson

Van Sant’s mesmerising if slightly disappointing take on the Columbine shootings borrows much of its formal elements from the far superior Sátántangó (1994) and Elephant (1989); so it sinks or swims by its content, which unfortunately often feels clichéd, inaccurate, manipulative, or merely exploitative, but, that said, there are enough moments of truth and beauty to make it recommended viewing. Iain.Stott