MovieChat Forums > Elephant Song (2015) Discussion > Excellent Example of Substandard Writing

Excellent Example of Substandard Writing


- zero character development
- unnecessary subplots
- major plot points left unexplored
- antiseptic and superficial treatment of trauma

The film takes a disturbingly inappropriate POV towards negligent matricide. There is absolutely no connection made between this working mother's dedication to her career before parenting and how her son ended up so twisted. Would the story have made sense if the parent had been a world-class, talented father whom put his career before his fatherhood? No. This lack of presentation of any cause and effect scenario relies on blatant sexism. "Blame Mommy" is a tired, antiquated and immature trope - the hallmark of a lack of creative originality.

The film initially presents a sympathetic character in the psychiatrist (lost a daughter, lost a marriage, unable to participate emotionally in his second marriage) whom is revealed to be a willing and knowing participant in the psycho-sexual abuse of a child. He actually supports another psychiatrist whom had violated the vulnerability of the boy by falling in love with him and then NOT taking himself off of that boy's case. Why was that psychiatrist still licensed when he was found to be in possession of the nude pictures of his young patient? (He hadn't turned them over or reported them... Greenwood's character did that.)

The boy's backstory... he was feeling neglected. At 8, he's traumatized by witnessing the killing of an elephant and then further traumatized by his mother's mistaken response... to sing him the elephant song, so 6 years later he just sits and sings and lets her die? Where's that story?

And, it ends with the divorced couple comforting each other because now they've both failed to protect a child and the child died?

There were many stories to be told in this film but none were explored. There were characters with stories worthy of telling but those parts of their lives were merely alluded to in the most perfunctory manner. Failing to either be a character study or an ensemble piece, the result is much akin to a teenager's criticism of life before attaining the experience of contribution with which to gain a valid perspective or the ability to judge fairly.

I love Indies and the cast and the acting were good. The soundtrack fit well and the muted palette added to the somber, heavy mood, so kudos for those parts of the production. None of it can compensate for this "first draft" screenwriting. I'd only recommend this to film students as an example of horrible writing. 3/10

Susan, "but I was thinking..." Leo, "STOP! Thinking is for losers!" - Scandal's satirical message.

reply