During the 69th edition of the Taormina Film Festwe previewed In the Fire: here is ours review of the Conor Allyn film. A feature film, set in Colombia at the end of the 19th century, which brings the encounter-clash between faith and science to the big screen.
The new movie with Amber Heard
Amber Heard it would seem to have left behind the trial with the ex Johnny Depp: after years, the actress has appeared in an event to promote a new film. Fans literally invaded Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina to meet Heard live. But then, how is In the Fire?
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The plot of In the Fire
Colombiaend nineteenth century. Amber Heard is Gracean American psychiatrist called to solve the case of a child disturbed or possessed. In this period, psychoanalysis is not yet considered a science, but the young doctor – contacted by the boy’s mother – tries to discover the truth.
When she arrives, Grace discovers that the mother of the child died, while the whole population begins to believe in the possible possession. This brief introduction allows us to immediately highlight the place where the events take place: a Dark Colombia where the influence of suggestions on people is really high.
Even the certainties of Grace, during her journey, begin to falter: the doctor will have to save the boy, but also herself. From the point of view narrativeIn the Fire tells an intense story that deals with important themes.
A narration that, however, is not totally convincing: dialogues a little forced and twists predictable do not always keep the viewer glued to the screen. Different speech for the child mystery: the unexplained events, the dark setting and the complexity of this character drag the viewer into a whirlwind of requests. Watching the film, one wonders several times about the “nature” of the young man: are they psychic problems or is it possession? The director constantly fuels these doubts, bringing a chain of mysteries to the big screen. So, many interesting ideas, but one fluctuating writing.
Faith, beliefs and science in the movie In the Fire
Amber Heard returns to a costume dramaplaying a very interesting character: a doctor who tries to bring her studies into a “microcosm” strongly linked to popular beliefs. A real theme, considering the history of the human being. Different ancient populations – when many scientific discoveries were still a distant mirage – they tended to explain natural phenomena through spirituality, which then materialized in legends and myths. It was not possible to explain what was the cause of the continuous roars coming from the volcanoes and, therefore, the Ancient Greeks imagined gigantic cyclops that manufactured Zeus’ lightning bolts. The presence of lightning bolts in the sky could not yet be considered an atmospheric phenomenon linked to atmospheric electricity, but rather a manifestation of Zeus “governor of meteorological phenomena”.
In the Fire deals precisely with this theme, bringing to the big screen a world where the science it wasn’t that widespread yet. They are created immediately two sides: Grace believes the baby is disturbed; the population thinks that the little one is the “devil”. As much as the psychiatrist constantly tries to prove her case, the others begin to consider her almost an enemy to be hindered. A portrait – maybe not even that original – of people who don’t always accept (or understand) the innovations.
The influence of popular beliefs is getting stronger and stronger: remember, in fact, that even the child grew up in this place. He too, for better or for worse, has to deal with this culture: he convinces himself that he is the culprit of what was – as we soon discover – a terrible accident. Grace, clashing with her beliefs, will try to save the child and his family.
The cast of In the Fire
Amber Heard returns to the cinema with a role sore: a psychiatrist who fights against a male-dominated population trapped in entrenched beliefs. An interesting test, but not always totally convincing: perhaps a pinch of greater security or a more solid writing is missing. The other interpreters – including Eduardo Noriega, Luca Calvani and Isabella Benetton – offer some fair performance.
In the Fire, the release date
The film In the Fire – distributed by RS Productions in collaboration with Mirari Vos – will arrive in Italian cinemas in fall. Behind the camera we find Conor Allyn (No Man’s Land, Spy Hunt).
