The Road

[Elliot Rudmann]

Just saw this film and was very impressed. Finally a post-apocalyptic film that isn't driven by superfluous visual effects, zombies, or an unrealistic story structure. The cinematography was hauntingly beautiful, subtle, and heavily complimented by set design/location and (tasteful) desaturated color grading. No cheesy performances either, Viggo Mortensen (The Man) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Boy) managed to convey a deep and realistic father-son relationship. The adaptation to McCarthy's novel was pretty faithful as well, minus a few flashblacks (probably to give Charlize Theron more screen time). The overly sentimental soundtrack also could have been cut out entirely; we don't need to be told how to feel in an environment so bleak. A great film overall.

 

Another interesting thing to note was that, during some reel changes (noticeably the first and second), the color correction (in the same scene) dramatically changed. Not sure if it was a projector issue or perhaps a lab error, like using bad or over-used chemicals when making the release prints? Any thoughts?

Edited November 28, 2009 by Elliot Rudmann

[Gus Sacks]

Just saw this film and was very impressed. Finally a post-apocalyptic film that isn't driven by superfluous visual effects, zombies, or an unrealistic story structure. The cinematography was hauntingly beautiful, subtle, and heavily complimented by set design/location and (tasteful) desaturated color grading. No cheesy performances either, Viggo Mortensen (The Man) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Boy) managed to convey a deep and realistic father-son relationship. The adaptation to McCarthy's novel was pretty faithful as well, minus a few flashblacks (probably to give Charlize Theron more screen time). The overly sentimental soundtrack also could have been cut out entirely; we don't need to be told how to feel in an environment so bleak. A great film overall.

 

Another interesting thing to note was that, during some reel changes (noticeably the first and second), the color correction (in the same scene) dramatically changed. Not sure if it was a projector issue or perhaps a lab error, like using bad or over-used chemicals when making the release prints? Any thoughts?

 

I agree on most accounts, unfortunately including the color shift (I only really noticed one major one in the 1st reel). It was jarring and took me out of the film at that point for a few minutes. I wonder what caused it.

[Rob Vogt]

Yeah I noticed it as well on the first couple of reels. I didn't really like the boy, but that's not really a point of the cinematography.