Ellektra

While the central plot of Ellektra is not unique, the full context of the film was astonishing.

I give this film a 10 for technique. The visual style was compelling and challenging - and combined with the ambitiousness of the story (many different characters) it required some effort to keep track of what was going on in the first few minutes. But once the film had introduced all the characters, it settled in and it flowed readily.

Gert Portael as 'Sam' turns in a remarkable performance. She makes you believe that she is a woman in pain. She was completely *real* here - not some Hollywood bimbo with a little makeup to make her look like an addict. From her first frame you see a lifetime of agony on her face. A *great* choice.

There are many other fine performances - I connected with all the characters which makes the first third of the film hard to bear, but also makes the payoff at the end of the movie work. And this is a difficult film. There are a few moments of intense violence - and in each I cared about what was happening, as compared to victims in movies like Reservoir Dogs who suffer excruciating violence but which generated no emotion for me (other than disgust).

I was at max adrenaline through the whole thing - for me, this was one of those beautiful moments of cinema. I can't wait to see "Ellektra" again.