ELEPHANT
Developing the influence of Bela Tarr (as well as Tarkovsky) on his own work, Gus Van Sant has crafted a powerful, poetic retelling of the Columbine High School massacre. The films strongest suit is its refusal to pander to classic TV-drama clichés of heroic students or deserved targets much of the action is almost impossible to predict. Yet, simply by tackling such an incendiary topic as Columbine Van Sant risks, and somewhat falls victim to, not completely exploring the subject matter. And the directors decision to be somewhat objective and not take a stand on the kids state of mind is a double-edged sword: the film bravely challenges the audience to participate in determining the root causes of such events, but it also invites lazy and simplistic psychological explanations for such behavior. (Stephen Garrett)
- Alex Frost - Alex
- Eric Deulen - Eric
- John Robinson - John
- Elias McConnell - Elias
- Jordan Taylor - Jordan
- Timothy Bottoms - Mr. McFarland
- Matt Malloy - Mr. Luce
- Gus Van Sant
- Harris Savides
- Leslie Shatz
- Gus Van Sant
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