John Curran hits the mark with his new film “Stone”.

In his new drama thriller “Stone”, Curran takes us on a gripping spiritual journey through the lives of Jack (Robert De Niro) , Gerald (Edward Norton) and the two character’s wives Madylyn (Fransis Conroy) , and Lucetta (Milla Jovovich). DeNiro and Norton literally explode on the screen, a parade of their craft, releasing the tension of an un-nerving introduction to the film; the two actors comedically butt horns which provides relief to the grim subject matter. So much so at the premiere viewing the audience burst into applause. A delicate balance is sought by the Director and Writer both thematically and stylistically.

Four distinct styles of seeing illuminate the lives of our players.  Stagnant, washed out imagery surrounds Madylyn. Pale greens and extreme soft focus paint the world where we find her dogmatically reading bible passages and killing time smoking cigarettes. A second, portrays Jack as he creates his own harsh, rigid experience. Repetitive, measured landscapes and the strong imagery of soldiers and guns is telling of Jack’s boring bureaucratic life.

A third, and an early glimpse at the transcendent nature of the film can only be described as breathtaking. Surprisingly, we are shown Gerald’s prison world, surreal, an unlikely source of redemption, literally floating in the clouds.  High above the reality of the prison compound, Gerald proves to be all that his surroundings have made him. Cold blues and clean camerawork hint at the precise nature of Gerald’s mind. Acute attention to detail emphasize his manicured behaviour patterns.

All the while Gerald’s wife Lucetta, filled with a bubbling spirit, heats up the screen providing sticky glue for our characters. The fourth, showing even balanced focus, warm colors and smiling children becomes sharply contrasted with frontal nudity, darkness, and passionless sex. At first, the characters so starkly opposed to each other and contrasted by the Director’s deliberate cinematic landscapes, reach synthesis through time and provide meaning to the dark tale. To speak plainly, Jack is the gatekeeper of Gerald’s freedom. Madylyn is the source of Jack’s faith and
strength. Lucetta is loyal but somewhat empty in the most peculiar of ways — Gerald describes her as “alien … from another planet”.

Reminiscent of the pervasive evil from the film “Fallen”, power, wisdom, faith and fear metaphorically change hands and with the slightest of touch. In a Q&A session after the screening Conroy and Jovovich gave insights to the director’s ability to create meaning through what is unsaid and unseen. The ever growing shadows paint a strong picture as the lives and spirits of our characters grow closer. The “atmospheric” sound which permeates the experience provides pacing and tension, and arguably vital information to understanding the characters subjective experiences.  Norton took the opportunity to gracefully reveal DeNiro as an influence in his acting career and how deeply rooted in his character he truly is. To see the two act so closely together and in such reflective roles lends a new dimension to the understanding of the actor’s style and the film itself. The only critique of the film is a question of whether or not inclusion of Jack and Madylyn’s early life is completely necessary, as it adds a hollywood simplicity to the otherwise consuming moral tale.

A true treat across the board, not to miss. Ballbreaker De Niro, conman Norton, sexy Jovovich, and frighteningly poignant Conroy light up the screen in a tale deftly spun by writer Angus MacLachlan.  8 out of 10 and a film with some substance.

Ottaviano Romano