Saturday, August 2, 2008

Hale's Inferno

Author(s): Joshua (NY)
Hale's Inferno

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Written by Stephen Gaghan
Produced by Scott Rudin & Steven Soderbergh
Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg
Distributed by Miramax Films
Film Editing by Dylan Tichenor
Cinematography by Robert Elswit
Costume Design by Anna B. Shepherd
Make-Up by Sian Grigg
Art Direction by Nazzareno Piana & Luca Tranchino
Original Score by John Williams

Principal Cast

Liam Neeson - Jefferson R. Hale
Ralph Fiennes - Gideon A. Hale
Ian McKellan - Charles Rafelson
John Malkovich - Mitch Howard
Paddy Considine - John Marcus
Charlotte Rampling - Lillian Rafelson
Jeremy Northam - Luther Malone

Tagline: "Justice will be Done"

Plot/Synopsis:
It's a different society here in England. We are just about entering the 20th century and I fear that by that time I will dissolve into thin air. I will lose the little I have. The reason to why I say this now is all due to the fact that years ago the use of man has been limited. These days technology has improved rapidly. Many men believe that the machines have taken over the work. I am nearly fifty-five years old and the world is not good to the elderly folk. My much younger brother Gideon and I have been estranged from each other for quite a long time, but ironically we both landed the same job here in Rafelson Factories. He too is suffering the same fate as well as all the other employees of Charles Rafelson; who are forced to feed loads of coal into the mouths of these small ovens so that the very machines that demote us function. It's an inferno for me.

I yearn to get out, but where will I head. Today the vicious demons that carry around wips and guns killed a close friend of mine. His name was John Marcus. Apparently he went mad and destroyed a couple of small machines in the factory and also tried to murder Rafelson. He was shot down by one of the demons I speak of, Mitch Howard; In front for all the employees to see. The bullet plunged his forehead. Rumors spread that he was denied money to help an ailing family member. He must have been very desperate to go to him. Everyone knows that Charles is not a loving man. His form of love can be seen in the bruises that his wife carries around on her face. The poor women goes threw embarassment when she is seen in public. One could see her efforts of trying to cover the marks. For me she's just one example of Rafelson's cruelty. John Marcus was a human being with a family and the thought that I could be on my knees one day knowing my fate always crosses my mind. So to a tragic event, my brother and I have been spreading the word around to the other men informing them to join forces and start a union. We will take charge of the factory and shut it down completely. We will strike, and in return we ask for justice. Justice that will allow us to have better pay and protection because in the this world, that's all I need to survive and I will survive this vicious place.

What Will The Press Say:

A stirring look at the life of a hard working human being, Hale's Inferno takes the audience on a visceral, astounding look at the power that can unfold when one is facing situations of life and death. During the late eighteen hudrends, men work side by side in cramped shafts, under terrible conditions. This scene opens the film and conveys efficiently to the audience as the film's lead Liam Neeson looks upon the fire with retaliation on his eyes. As Jefferson Hale, Neeson navigates the complex and difficult personalities of an unsatisfied employee of a large industry as he struggles to cope with the world that he now hates.

Tall, middle-aged, and misanthropic, Liam Neeson's Jefferson R. Hale stands and delivers a searing portrait of soul-rotting ambition. An ambition to break free of the man he is; a hard-working slave and poor. He would do anything to break free from the society of people who catch deadly diseases everyday and throw their waste right out the window without hesitation, and that means the film's spirit is as black as the underground inferno that guides Hale''s every movement. Muscularly directed by Steven Soderbergh & masterfully written by Stephen Gaghan, Hale's Inferno burns its imagery onto your brain and alters your state. It's an original, and what it has to say about the world is rarely pretty. Along with Neeson is his Schindler's List co-star Ralph Fiennes who portrays Jefferson's brother, Gideon. A great comeback for Fiennes, who delivers more than what we expect for this particular role. At times Gideon seems un-trustworthy and we can some what feel his hate for his brother. This alone brings a interesting edge to his character. It would be tough to see who succeeds if Fiennes finds himself battling veteran Ian McKellen if the two men are recognized for supporting actor consideration. McKellen's Charles Rafelson is one villian to remember as he rules Rafelson Industries and everyone around him with an iron fist. His actions are deadly in the end, and he goes to businessman Luther Malone (Jeremy Northam) who can provide a conveinent gang of men to fight off or kill any employee who get's in his way. This leads to an incredible showdown between Rafelson and Hale. Along for the vivid ride are John Malkovich who portrays one of Rafelson's vicious men who are appointed to keep watch of the workers, and Charlotte Rampling who seems to be the only women to appear more than once playing Rafelson's alarmed wife. She fears him like never before, but what will she do about it?.

The incomparable John Williams delivers his masterful original scores for the film. It is a film in which music was given so much responsibility for creating mood. Never leaving any questions un-answered, Hale's Inferno will leave the audience satisfied until the very shocking end.

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director - Steven Soderbergh
Best Actor - Liam Neeson
Best Supporting Actor - Ralph Fiennes
Best Supporting Actor - Ian McKellan
Best Supporting Actress - Charlotte Rampling
Best Original Screenplay - Stephen Gaghan

No comments: