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Based on the acclaimed 1973 Cormac McCarthy novel, director James Franco’s CHILD OF GOD takes place in 1960s Tennessee, where Lester Ballard is a dispossessed, violent man – one the narrator describes as “a child of God much like yourself perhaps.” Deprived first of his family and then his home, Ballard descends literally and figuratively to the level of a cave dweller, falling deeper into a disturbing life of crime and degradation.
"Child Of God" tells the story of Lester Ballard, a mentally ill adult who lives in Tennessee. He was never the same after losing parents at a very young age, but the locals never helped because he was constantly treated as an outcast. As the film opens his parents property is being auctioned off which leaves him homeless and left to wander the nearby woods finding different places to sleep every night. His mental illness has gotten worse over the years and it leads to him doing horrific things.
There is not much more I could add plot wise here without ruining the film for those wanting to see it but I will say that it is not a film for everyone. The film is based on Cormac McCarthy's 1973 novel and like his other work it shows humanity's dark side so it can be a very hard film to watch because of the subject matter which makes it a hard film to like. I have to say that the film had several very disturbing scenes in it but at the same time I found myself laughing a bit even though I was not sure why. Either way this one is geared towards those of you that have enjoyed Cormac's other work and/or just like a good Independent film.
I am not the biggest James Franco fan out there but I do give him credit for making the Novel into a thought-provoking and engaging if not disturbing film. Franco got a lot of help from his cast, Scott Haze gave a powerful performance as Lester Ballard and the supporting cast were all terrific as well including Tim Blake Nelson and Jim Parrack.
I some how enjoyed this film even with its very disturbing subject matter. If you get offended easy I suggest you pass and watch something else but if like a challenge then I recommend checking it out. Available now, you can order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE.
Released by Well Go USA
*** Out Of *****