Master Gardener

The latest from Schrader falls short....way short of what it could have been. Instead of greatness we are delivered a film with crazy pacing issues and totally lopsided story telling. What the hell happened here? The aforementioned question is the main thought when the credits roll and one ponders over the wasted potential. The whole movie you keep waiting for something until you realize we're close to ending here...it's to late to save. Very disappointing as a fan of much of Schraders work. If this is what we can expect in the future, it might be time to call it quits. This one is hard to reccomend.

You've found a place after a life that caused distress, where you can get your roots dug in, watered and redressed, performing two roles for the head, both need planting in a bed, while shooting spears appear, that need to be well fed; an apprentice is indentured, taken on, they've been neglected and they need some direction, so you fertilise and mulch, it lets you savour and indulge, but the consequences lead, to things long gone; after a while the scent and bouquet are repeated, as you realise these topics have been treated, in variations that have passed, in films you surly have amassed, leaves you feeling quite depleted, and somewhat cheated.

If I was writing a report card for this, 'failure to reach potential'would be my mark along with a C. The failure to develop a storyline and capitalise on some excellent actors was stark. Norval's character failed to get establish. A brooding silent man devoted to his garden was apparently sleeping with the lady of the house who, I assume was taken by his white power past despite that he was supposed to be in witsec. Along comes Maya a 'mixed blood' grandneice of the lady of the house and is trying to get his clothes off too. There was no indication she was remotely interested up until then. The story just didn't get established, and failed to flow. Such a great idea was totally wasted. And maybe they should have thought twice about giving him a nazi era haircut. The flashbacks showed him as having unruly hair and an unkempt beard. Way to hide your white power past. Would love to have seen more of the garden development instead of the talking about the plants. A middle of the road deserves a middle of the road score...5.

Boreing boreing boreing this film is one of those with the aim of delivering a message. Ex white power gang member gets with girl. Fools you into thinking there is lots of action when there isn't just a couple of gun shots and even they are boring. I nearly walked out several times but kept thinking something good must happen soon he must kick ass any min now and it just doesnt happen got to the end and was seriously like it's that it really. Its ok for a sunday afternoon if you are a 84 year old lady who likes earl grey tea and spend some serious time sucking on mints but for any one below retirement age this is complete garbage.