The Sweet Hereafter

Atom Egoyan, Canada 1997, 110 mins

Like Canadian writer/director Egoyan's last work, Exotica, The Sweet Hereafter uses deft manipulation of the time line to build up a fascinating portrait of a community.

British actor Ian Holm plays the outsider who comes to the town with his own problems ­ divorce, junkie daughter ­ whilst seeking to unify the mixed feelings of the fractured community. His is the star turn amongst a group of accomplished actors, many of whom are regulars in Egoyan's work.

As with Exotica, the jumping backwards and forwards allows Egoyan to slowly reveal more, from the cryptic opening titles until the film's conclusion. The director also draws on fantastic images of snowy countryside and, although perhaps a little clumsy, the continuing references to the Pied Piper of Hamelin are a striking counterpoint not present in Russell Banks' (supposedly unfilmable) novel.

Indeed, the score (from Egoyan's regular collaborator Mychael Danna) plays an important role in giving the film its emotional power. As in Exotica and Ang Lee's The Ice Storm, Danna reinforces the emotional effect of the film, already powerful thanks to the skilled direction and acting.

Unlike so many films, the sense of poignant desolation that The Sweet Hereafter bears will stay with you for a long time.

Neil Chue Hong
EUFS Programme 1998-99