Weekend Film Reviews
The Witch; Race
The Witch's psychodynamics may be familiar, but Robert Eggers makes them seem newly discovered with the intensity of his writing and direction. Race is a saga of unquenchable spirit and fast-twitch muscles shot in slow-twitch style.
By Joe Morgenstern • • 3m ListenThe Witch may sound like a generic horror flick that's opening too late or too early for Halloween, but this phenomenal debut feature by Robert Eggers has a very special style and tone, and its horror flows from the deepest wellsprings of human nature.
It's understandable that the filmmakers responsible for the new biopic Race would have wanted to concentrate on Jesse Owens' triumphs, rather than his decline. For all its inherent drama, though, this earnest film lacks the spark of life.