Resurrection

Directed by Andrew Semans, Resurrection follows Rebecca Hall’s Margaret as her mental state begins to crumble after a sinister figure (Tim Roth’s David) from her past arrives on the scene. Filmmaker Semans, armed with his own screenplay, does a terrific job of initially drawing the viewer into the deliberate proceedings, as Resurrection kicks off with a striking, compelling pre-credits sequence that gives way to a lackadaisical yet thoroughly intriguing opening stretch – with the engaging atmosphere heightened by the narrative’s rather irresistible undercurrent of mystery and Hall’s often mesmerizing work as the icy central character. And although the picture peaks with a showstopper of an interlude wherein Margaret divulges her history with David in a single, unbroken take, Resurrection slowly-but-surely transforms into an underwhelming and palpably repetitive misfire that spins its wheels to a mostly frustrating degree – with Semans’ continuing efforts at cultivating an intense atmosphere negated by a growing emphasis on decidedly outlandish plot and character developments (ie it’s all just so silly). By the time the virtually nonsensical conclusion rolls around, Resurrection has cemented its place as a disappointingly (and distressingly) ineffective drama that squanders the massive potential of a stirring first act and top-notch performance by Hall.

*1/2 out of ****