The Aftermath

Author(s): Chris P. (IL)
The Aftermath

Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Written by Michael Schiffer
Produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz
Distributed by Warner Bro. Pictures
Music by Mark Isham
Edited by Conrad Buff IV
Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot

Main Cast
Christian Bale as Officer Kyle Mitchell
Taraji P. Henson as Yvette Charles
Kevin Zegers as Officer Frank Waters
Ginnifer Goodwin as Michelle Mitchell
Loretta Devine as Shirley Charles
Anthony Mackie as Anthony Smith
James Garner as Harold Mitchell
Delroy Lindo as Lt. Jackson
William Fitchner as Bruce Waters
Brandon Mychal Smith as Demetrius Smith

Tagline: "Death is at the Center of Life."
Synopsis: An interconnecting story, set in the crime riddled and dangerous austral streets of post-Katrina New Orleans , surrounds the dysfunctional individuals linked to the accidental murder of a corrupt teenager, the events that led to this incident, and the affects this has on their lives.

OFFICER KYLE MITCHELL (Bale), an embittered and hot tempered southern cop, was never a man who was prone to giving or showing much compassion (which is why he's so proficient at his job). This, however, is causing a major riff between him and his exasperated wife of nearly twelve years, MICHELLE(Goodwin), a high school English teacher, and building an even substantial grudge between him and his crippled, alcoholic, and bed ridden father, HAROLD (Garner), who he blames for his unpleasant childhood and hateful attitude towards others. But after his novice partner shoots a teenager, in the heat of the moment, during an attempted store robbery, it changes his perception on life and his career forever...

YVETTE CHARLES (Henson), a spiteful, eight month pregnant, mother figure, is facing the future pressures of motherhood, constant confrontations with her god fearing and very critical mother, SHIRLEY (Devine), coping with the damage of her home and neighborhood after the hurricane, and the resistance of her lover's, ANTHONY (Mackie), the incarcerated father of Yvette's unborn child, deeply troubled younger brother, DEMETRIUS (Smith), who lives his life on the streets as a criminal. When Demetrius is gunned down by a cop, Yvette must tell her boyfriend that his brother is dead and that she has also suffered an unfortunate miscarriage...

OFFICER FRANK WATERS (Zegers), a rookie cop, grew up around immorality. His father, BRUCE WATERS (Fitchner), a death row inmate, was charged and convicted of killing Frank's mother during a violent argument. This is the reason Frank wanted to become a cop. LIEUTENANT JACKSON (Lindo), Officers Waters' and Mitchell's shift aid, becomes a mentor to Frank and guides him through many tough and challenging obstacles. When Frank accidentally shoots a getaway teenage delinquent, it sets off a media storm of bad publicity for his unit, exposes his reckless and out of control past, and ruins his reputation as a cop...

"The Aftermath" is a hard hitting and powerful crime drama about the affects of death and murder, disconnected families, and the professional and personal consequences tragedies bring onto people.

What the Press Would Say:

"The Aftermath", a deep, thought provoking, emotionally involved, and character driven drama, is about the unintentional shooting of a teenager in New Orleans and the characters connected to this murder.

"Training Day" director, Antoine Fuqua, and screenwriter, Michael Schiffer ("Colors"), have created a very unique, compelling, and gritty story about life struggles, death, and the burdens brought on by private and professional set backs. Fuqua brings a slick yet poignantly complex atmosphere into the lives of various characters and the incredibly difficult paths they must cross in order to sustain any sense of humanism within their tough surroundings. He also perfectly captures an authentic landscape of post-Katrina New Orleans life and the struggles some of its residents have to face up against the growing number of homicides and corruption in their communities. Schiffer's screenplay, though uses familiar material, ignores cliches and gives us fantastic and interesting characters with a natural sense of their environment. The depth Schiffer conveys into his script only enhances the extremely profound direction and astonishing performances.

The ensemble cast is universally excellent. The ever diverse, Christian Bale, turns in yet another powerful and understated performance as Officer Kyle Mitchell, a virulent cop with little respect for his marriage, his father, the citizens he's supposed to protect, and himself. Bale's portrayal of this extremely bitter and sorrowful soul is painfully harsh yet heartbreaking, honest, and realistic. The underrated, Taraji P. Henson, plays Yvette Charles, a volatile pregnant woman who looks after her imprisoned paramour's younger brother. Henson's performance is beyond outstanding. The scene where she reveals to her boyfriend that his brother and their unborn child is dead is probably the most affective and gut wrenching things you'll see all year.

The supporting performances are equally as memorable. Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Michelle Mitchell, the aggravated wife of an impassive cop and the teacher of a dead student. Goodwin shows this woman as lonely, afraid, and disturbed by her crumbling marriage and by her husband's constant lack of love and admiration. Loretta Devine portrays Shirley Charles, a very religious and overprotective mother. Devine's performance is simply brilliant. She exposes this character's care and affection for her daughter's afflicted life through her severe stances. Finally, James Garner delivers a meaty and truly remarkable performance as Harold Mitchell, an alcoholic and disabled father. Garner observes the true nature of this character and makes a man who is depressed but expresses his emotions through excessive drinking and by his cruel resentment towards his son.

"The Aftermath" is an enthralling, gripping, and carefully crafted piece. This isn't a film about race, class, Hurricane Katrina, injustice, or the law. But simply a movie about the way life and death result in the internal pain we all must face and which makes this film even more remarkable. A definite must see.

Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Antoine Fuqua
Best Actor - Christian Bale
Best Actress - Taraji P. Henson
Best Supporting Actor - James Garner
Best Supporting Actress - Ginnifer Goodwin
Best Supporting Actress - Loretta Devine
Best Original Screenplay