MovieChat Forums > Out of the Blue (2006) Discussion > Harrowing

Harrowing

posted 18 years ago by idiot_standing_in_a_hurr
3 replies | jump to latest

Just came out of the theatre. This film is amazing, but very harrowing. Robert Sarkies direction was sensitive and powerful, especially like the sound design and how so many things we're revealed by suggestion instead of by words. True filmmaking. Look forward to his next project. Must see for all, in particuarly for NZ audiences though, as it will become an instant classic in our film history.

On a more personal note, I found it particuarly disturbing because Grey knew the people he was killing, most movies glorify violence esp. in the army senario because you never get to know those being killed. So sad that this actually happened and so sad that someone became driven enough to commit such an act.

[–] glimmer-2 18 years ago

I have just started reading the book the movie used as its main factual source(aside from obvious interviews). I didn't know that Gray's eysesight was close to legally blind as you could get. He had about half a metre of natural sight left. Yes, he wore glasses but only when it suited him. The fact he went on his rampage without wearing them most of the time meant he didn't actually identify the majority of his victims by sight. Sure he probably had a rough idea being a longtime resident, but by this point he was past caring anyway. When he was taken down by armed offenders squad his glasses wer in his pocket.

[–] sonofmunson 18 years ago

Yes and I think this was brilliantly handled by Sarkies by his use of blurred camera shots whenever Gray came on to the scene. I liked how it reflected not only his poor eyesight, but also his blurred grip on reality.

Having read the book myself, I was really happy with the way Sarkies and co included a lot of detail from the book. For example, when Gray was having flashbacks of Stu Guthrie searching his crib after reports of a peeping tom were reported. It was never proven that Gray was the culprit and it was details like these which give us a good insight into the twisted, persecuted mind of David Gray.

"I'm a reasonable man get off my case."

[–] funkee_fairee-1 18 years ago

I think harrowing is an understatement, it was really hard to watch, one of your best mates that you grew up with get shot, and lose her family, i cant think about anything else now. it was made really well, i commend everyone involved, but it hit home like no other. i grew up in port, with aramoana as my back doorstep, i have always known the story, but i never think about it, now i cant stop. its rather disturbing really.