Gabriel (2007) Review
August 20th 2010 17:03
Filmmakers in Australia have always been a long-suffering lot. While they have no shortage of creativity, their films normally get next to no budget, and they have to deal with very limited cooperation from industry and local police. This means that the best and most memorable Aussie films are filmed on back roads with borrowed equipment and makeshift costumes and props. This installment's film, Shane Abbes supernatural action film “Gabriel” is made with a microscopic budget, even by Australian standards.
Gabriel is a movie based on a fascinating concept: In Purgatory, the
afterlife for the souls who haven't yet been judged, there is a battle going on for the souls there between the Angels, an the Fallen. The Angels and the Fallen must enter Purgatory as human beings, with all the human weaknesses and temptations (in one scene another Angel has to remind Gabriel to eat) the Angels and Fallen can only enter Purgatory a year at a time, a few years apart. When Gabriel enters Purgatory, he discovers the Fallen are winning, and the angels that are still alive were afraid to fight back, since their mightiest warrior Michael was already killed. As the film progresses, Gabriel has to decide whether it's worth fighting back or not, but he never falters and decides to keep fighting no matter what the cost. The movie ends on an ambiguous note, letting the viewer decide if what Gabriel did was right or wrong and which of the conflicting ideologies of the film is the superior.
The film is photographed very well, and for a film made for a scant 150,000 Australian dollars, it looks and sounds like anything Hollywood has pumped out. I've talked about low-budget film making before, but director, producer and financier Shane Abbes should win an award of some kind just for sheer tenacity. During the production he took odd jobs as a truck driver, contractor, and delivery boy just so he could continue production. Some of his employers even chipped in to help the production when money dried up. The sets were mostly abandoned buildings, and the majority of the costumes and props were purchased at thrift stores. The film was almost shelved several times due to unexpected expenses, but when the going got tough the production kept going.
The film has an engaging and interesting story, and the action is
mediocre but dramatic. While the film was never the international blockbuster the producer wanted it to be, it entertains what is becoming a growing cult following. The story is what shines here, the acting is delightful even though the actors are virtual unknowns, they did an amazing job. The dialogue was positively operatic, and the story was engrossing. The setting was just unfamiliar enough to convince you that the story took place in a distant and alien place, but familiar enough that we understand exactly what's going on.
After what the director went through just to make this movie, I think we almost owe him at least a rental. But don't just see the movie for the suffering behind it, see it because it's not all that bad! It's obscure but as good as any film crammed down your throat by the Hollywood marketing machine.
Gabriel is a movie based on a fascinating concept: In Purgatory, the
This Poster proably cost more than the production
The film has an engaging and interesting story, and the action is
Stick in there Gabe, the Movie will get more funds
After what the director went through just to make this movie, I think we almost owe him at least a rental. But don't just see the movie for the suffering behind it, see it because it's not all that bad! It's obscure but as good as any film crammed down your throat by the Hollywood marketing machine.
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