Wise Blood

Wise Blood, directed by John Huston in 1979, is a darkly comedic and thought-provoking film which delves into the intricacies of faith, evangelism, and the human condition. Based on the novel by Flannery O’Connor, the film takes us on a cynically humorous journey steeped in the surreal and peculiar landscape of the American South. The film is a dazzling display of Huston's incomparable storytelling skill, merging southern gothic, religious satire and existential dilemma into an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The film stars the remarkably convincing Brad Dourif as Hazel Motes, a zealous and disturbed war veteran turned street preacher in a shambolic southern town. His character is quirky and intense, wrestling with his belief systems in the backdrop of a society consumed by religious fervour. Brad Dourif brings a paradoxical sensitivity to this volatile character, grounding the film's sometimes abstract narrative.

Hazel Motes' story unfolds in a desolate Southern town, a haunting microcosm of societal decay. The war has left him disillusioned with traditional religious beliefs and he decides to establish a blasphemous ministry, "The Church Without Christ," where salvation is not promised and redemption is not a guarantee. He attempts to dismantle and challenge the societal norm of seeking salvation through the Church, creating an unsettling narrative of a man running from his spiritual calling.

John Huston, the famed actor-director, brings his signature touch to the film, creating a bleak yet mesmerizing depiction of a town lost to moral decay. Although a secondary character in the film, Huston’s portrayal of the fraudulent preacher Asa Hawks adds an additional layer of cynicism and critique on religious exploitation.

In a parallel storyline, Dan Shor as Enoch Emery, a bizarre and friendly zookeeper, offers moments of comedic relief but also presents a poignant illustration of loneliness and the desperate need to belong. Emery forms an unusual bond with Hazel Motes, becoming a critical factor in the latter's journey towards self-discovery and his fight against inherited faith.

While the film is packed with eccentric characters and peculiar situations, it never falls into the trap of being an overindulgent, absurd spectacle. On the contrary, the true strength of Wise Blood lies in the sincere and committed performances of its cast and the confident, understated storytelling technique of John Huston. Every character, even the seemingly absurd ones, are grounded in reality, making them relatable and their predicaments, understandable.

The cinematography of the film, helmed by Gerry Fisher, further cements the quirky, haunting atmosphere of the film. The gritty, grimy picture of the American South, with its desolation and decay, becomes a character in its own right. Fisher's camera picks out the grime and the hustle, the bleak skies and the rundown buildings with a stark reality, accentuating the surreal aspects of the storytelling.

Equally notable is the film's sound design and score composed by Alex North, adding the right dose of otherworldly tension to the narrative. The seemingly dissonant, alien-like sounds superbly echo the disarrayed lives and the existential crisis surrounding the characters. This is combined with the rustic simplicity of a banjo - capturing the film's essence of chaos, absurdity, and sadness in a disturbingly lovely spectacle.

The film is not a typical fast-paced, big-budget, blockbuster. It moves at its own rhythm, allowing viewers to dwell on its eccentricities, the eerie ambiance, and the socio-religious commentary. Although it was not initially a box-office success, Wise Blood has become a cult classic, greatly admired by critics and enthusiasts for its bold narrative structure and underlying themes of alienation, faith, and identity.

In conclusion, Wise Blood is a film that works on many different layers, grappling with existential questions while offering a sharp critique on religion as a societal construct. It's a film that leaves the viewer contemplating the nature of faith and what it means to be truly free. Despite the passage of time since its 1979 release, Wise Blood remains surprisingly fresh and relevant today, offering a unique cinematic experience that is both engrossing and thought-provoking.