The Sweet Hereafter
Director: Atom Egoyan.
Starring: Ian Holm and Sarah Polley.
This is another masterpiece from the director (where did he get the name Atom??) who brought us the wonderful experience of Exotica. (If you haven’t seen that, then you should). The Sweet Hereafter is just as skilfully crafted, sensitive and intelligent as Exotica, deservedly winning the 1997 Cannes Grand Prix, as well as multiple Academy award nominations.
The story revolves around an out-of-town lawyer (Holm) visiting a small Canadian town in the aftermath of a tragic accident which has killed most of the town’s children. He is a lightning rod for the town’s anger, which inevitably threatens to ignite the highly charged atmosphere and immolate the entire community. However, we gradually see that his actions are also tainted by a desire to deal with the pain of his own losses. It is left to one young survivor (Sarah Polley) — with her own secrets — to lead the community out of their anguish. Absorbing and stylish, The Sweet Hereafter is the work of an artist.
Mike Garrett
