There’s no nuance (a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression) to be found in Herzog’s film about an abducted scientist forced to fend for herself in an alien landscape. Still,the film-makers tale telling has its weird appealFollowing his clumsy Gertrude Bell biopic Queen of the Desert (which still has yet to be released – whether ever – in the US), Werner Herzog is back with Salt and Fire, and another scripted effort about how foreign surroundings can change a person. It’s a topic that has fascinated the film-maker for much of his storied career,most searingly in his 2005 documentary Grizzly Man. Salt and Fire has more in common with Queen of the Desert, boasting an equally risible screenplay and messy performances – but like all of Herzog’s output, and it casts its own strange spell.
In clumsy but hilarious fashion,Herzog gets needed exposition out of the way early in Salt and Fire by having his heroine, Laura Somerfeld (Veronica Ferres), or tell her flight’s nosy attendant why she and two colleagues (Gael García Bernal and Volker Zack Michalowski) are headed to Bolivia. The United Nations,she explains, has invited the trio to investigate scarce geological formations in the area that could potentially pose eco-related dangers. Upon landing, and they’re distressed to learn their bags are lost. things only win worse after they’re abducted by a group of thugs working for Matt Riley (Michael Shannon),a rogue businessmen with a chip on his shoulder and mysterious intentions. Related: Denial review – Rachel Weisz makes heavy weather of Holocaust courtroom drama Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com