First Reformed

 The film ‘First Reformed’, was released in 2017.  It is a drama film, directed by Paul Schrader that stars  Ethan Hawke as ‘Reverend Toller’. Toller is a minister in a small town New York church who happens to be struggling with his faith in humanity as he learns more about the seriousness of climate change and its results. The film's cinematography style conveys so much while doing so little. Each set is very minimalistic and dull in contrast, which sets a very somber and hopeless vibe. I think the goal in this set design was to make the audience feel the loneliness that the main character, Reverend Toller feels. The use of a narration by the main character throughout the film served to let us know how to feel during each scene after knowing how Reverend Toller really felt. 

This film pairs together two main themes of environmentalism and religion or faith. This brings in two different audiences and seems to start the conversation in the mind of the audience. It brings forward difficult questions about the state of the world and where religion fits into how society chooses to deal with difficult situations. Another theme that is presented by itself is guilt. The film shows how Reverend Toller deals with the guilt of a failed marriage and the death of his child. The film shows his self resentment deflected outward on  the people who care for him. 

Overall, First Reformed can have various degrees of impact on the viewer. It is slow and drawn out, but if you choose to think and read into every subtle detail there is a lot that can be taken away. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys thought provoking films, and does not need action to stay engaged in the story line.