Winged Creatures (2008)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Rowan Woods

Writer (WGA):

Roy Freirich (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 2009 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

You have to lose your way to find it.

Plot:

A group of strangers form a unique relationship with each other after surviving a random shooting at a Los Angeles diner.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Cast

Marshall Allman	...	Dan the Bellhop
James Babson	...	Bike Shop Owner
Jacquie Barnbrook	...	Lori's Mom
Kate Beckinsale	...	Carla Davenport
Ankur Bhatt	...	Cubicle Neighor
Kevin Cooney	...	Travis Carlson
Embeth Davidtz	...	Joan Laraby
Michael Drummond	...	Prayer Group Kid #2
Kevin Durand	...	Bagman
Dakota Fanning	...	Anne Hagen
Andrew Fiscella	...	Numbers man
Soren Fulton	...	Howard
Gina Gallego	...	Waitress
Ted Garcia	...	Funeral Reporter
Troy Garity	...	Ron Abler
Walton Goggins	...	Zack
Beth Grant	...	Carla's Mom
Tim Guinee	...	Aaron Hagen
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Bob Jaspersen
Gwen Holloway	...	Social Worker
Jennifer Hudson	...	Kathy Archenault
Josh Hutcherson	...	Jimmy Jaspersen
Cohl Klop	...	Prayer Group Kid 1
Mela Lee	...	Internal Medicine Receptionist (voice)
Elaine Loh	...	Losing Gambler
Brooke Mackenzie	...	Traci
Hayley McFarland	...	Lori Carline
Jamie McShane	...	Stickman
Debrah Neal	...	Casino Lounge Singer
Lu Parker	...	TV Reporter
Randall Park	...	Resident
Guy Pearce	...	Dr. Bruce Laraby
Lara Phillips	...	Woman
Tarina Pouncy	...	ICU Nurse
Jeff Rector	...	Sheriff
Santos Reyes	...	Eddie
Al Ruscio	...	Angelo
Kent Shocknek	...	TV reporter
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Doris Hagen
Robin Weigert	...	Lydia Jasperson
Forest Whitaker	...	Charlie Archenault
Whittni Wright	...	Hannah

Also Known As:

Fragments (USA) (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violent content, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:16 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Altadena, California, USA

Company:

Artina Films

Trivia:

Director Rowan Woods was rumored to have said that Dakota Fanning was difficult to work with and to have claimed he ended up cutting many of her scenes. The director released a statement denying these rumors.

Quotes:

Anne Hagen: God knows they were brave, Jimmy. Dad smiled down at me like he didn't have a care in the world. God wants you to be brave. You can be too. God can help you see into the hearts of everyone who fell, like I do. His witness, which you are too.
Jimmy Jaspersen: [pointing the gun at her] So witness, but tell what you really saw! Tell it!
Doris Hagen: [timidly approaching] Jimmy, this is dangerous. Whatever you two think you have to hide, it's not worse than...
Jimmy Jaspersen: Tell it.
Doris Hagen: Annie.
Anne Hagen: [takes a shaky breath, beginning to cry] I saw Dad. And he smiled down and he told me not to be scared. He was so brave. And then... I was holding his hand, and he was holding mine... and then his Coke spilled.
Jimmy Jaspersen: No!
Anne Hagen: [seemingly composing herself] Then there were more shots, and the alarm went off.
Jimmy Jaspersen: No, remember it!
[starts to cry]
[...]

Interesting character study and gives much room for thought

This film is about how the lives of different individuals are affected by a shooting in a local café.

"Winged Creatures" is not for everyone as it is a tough film to watch. Though the story is held together by an initial central event, the characters' reactions and coping mechanisms make the film seem fragmented. Maybe that's why the new title of "Winged Creatures" is "Fragments"? Each of the victim's reactions give much room for thought and reflection. Out of all the reactions, I find Dakota Fanning's detached and dissociated state the most dramatic; Kate Beckinsale's reaction is the most realistic; while Guy Pearce's reaction is scarily morbid.

"Winged Creatures" could have been a thought provoking and touching drama. However, it tries to show so many different characters' reactions that it becomes fragmentary. It would have been more satisfying to just concentrate on less characters but in more detail.