Avwillfan89

This film is neither available to stream nor to buy on DVD. Finding gems on the corners of the internet is what I live for and I'm so glad I got to see this one.

Because this came out before Ralph Fiennes's skyrocket to fame with Schindler's List, not a lot of people know about this. Based on the novel by Stephen Gregory, the story follows an English family who move to rural Snowdonia after John's uncle passes away. He is also left a Cormorant, a bird John takes a liking to. But the bird soon becomes unstable and violent, to the point where it runs the risk of destroying the family and putting the couple's younger son in serious danger.

This tale deals with Welsh folklore, vague supernatural elements, as well as obsession and man's relationship with nature and animals. Ralph Fiennes's performance is brilliant in this, and he even speaks Welsh on a few occasions.

I really enjoyed this film more than I originally thought. It's too bad more people won't be able to find it.

I didn't really think anything of this film going into it, as I never really go into movies that dealt with religion. But when you have a script, director and team of amazing actors who elevate the story adapted from Robert Harris's novel, it makes all the difference in the world.

I became a massive fan of Ralph Fiennes after viewing this film. His face carries all the burden, stress and doubt as he manages a very stressful conclave in the bid to elect the new pope after their current one suddenly dies.

The rest of the cast are equally amazing in both their subtlety and passionate acting.

And the cinematography! It's astoundingly gorgeous. And director Edward Berger knows how to capture not only the beauty of the horizontal shots but also on the actor's faces, which are brilliantly rendered.

Although it does lose some steam a little at the end with a shock revelation, it nonetheless impressed me enough to watch it on repeat and discover different great things about it.

Like a lot of people, I wasn't at all convinced that the portrayal of Robbie Williams's life as a motion capture chimpanzee was going to work. Once the film starts, however, you very quickly forget about it. As the filter of the chimp highlights the insecurity, self-loathing and disassociation that Williams suffered in his life and career.

Themes of the pressures of fame, mental health in celebrities, the music industry and substance abuse are all ones that I love to see the most in film. The idea of doing the biopic as a musical, unlike some other films that have come out recently, was a great idea. The special effects are spot on, owing to the brilliant work Andy Serkis did in the Lord of the Rings and the Planet of The Apes franchises.

The decision to make it R-rated was also a good idea, since the subject matter can't be told properly and authentically if there limits to what one could show about self-abuse.

I definitely appreciate Williams's music a lot more after watching this movie.