Review: The Sweet Hereafter

“No good movie is depressing; all bad movies are depressing.” -R.E
This movie has been on my list of to see(s) for years; I think it was Mark Sweeney that originally recommended it to me back in the 90s. Like so other movies of its time, its a non-linear film. Unlike so many other movies of its time, it wasn’t non-linear for shock, twist, or confusion.

One of my favorite things about winter is that time, late at night, when its been snowing all day, and all the built up snow absorbs much of the ‘noise’ of the world, and things become muffled and silent.

The Sweet Hereafter is about that silence. There’s a horrible accident involving a school bus, and many children die. The movie follows the townspeople and a lawyer hired to represent them as they deal with the aftermath. The emotional distance and silence of the survivors is mimiced by setting/location of the film. A small and remote canadian town, with short days and long nights, surrounded by mountains that nearly devour everything in site. (mountains=accident).

There isn’t much emotion expressed in this film, a few outbursts of tears here and there. Probably the strongest moment in the film is during a flashback, a heartwrenching memory about rushing a baby to the hospital. Definitely my favorite part of the film.

Anyways, check it out, good stuff.