This film's journey through the final days of Edgar Allan Poe is a gem. It has an almost hypnotic silent film feel with its frame compositions, and its literate scripting carries the viewer along admirably.
Balanced between some fine comedic moments, as Poe tries to gain financial support for a publication he wants to launch, and his ghastly demise, are delightful set pieces and scene work - the conversation by the pier, and a well-drawn near-horror scene involving an election day.
Mark Redfield is wonderfully understated playing Poe, a man failing in his attempts to stay sober. Redfield handles the transitions with clarity and firm choices as the sometimes befuddled traveling poet arcs into more dark recesses of madness, pained memories and death presaged.
The music by Jennifer Rouse is well-composed, in places playful, and appropriate. The period is handled seamlessly without ostentation, and the supporting cast whirls in and out of Poe's fevered world in memorable turns - Wayne Shipley's taciturn Henry Herring, and Kevin G. Shinnick's Dr. John Moran are particularly notable.
Buy or rent this film and you will not be disappointed.
Balanced between some fine comedic moments, as Poe tries to gain financial support for a publication he wants to launch, and his ghastly demise, are delightful set pieces and scene work - the conversation by the pier, and a well-drawn near-horror scene involving an election day.
Mark Redfield is wonderfully understated playing Poe, a man failing in his attempts to stay sober. Redfield handles the transitions with clarity and firm choices as the sometimes befuddled traveling poet arcs into more dark recesses of madness, pained memories and death presaged.
The music by Jennifer Rouse is well-composed, in places playful, and appropriate. The period is handled seamlessly without ostentation, and the supporting cast whirls in and out of Poe's fevered world in memorable turns - Wayne Shipley's taciturn Henry Herring, and Kevin G. Shinnick's Dr. John Moran are particularly notable.
Buy or rent this film and you will not be disappointed.