Joey Magidson
Cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo
David Lowery is the rare filmmaker who can be challenging and experimental with his movies without losing the audience. Something like A Ghost Story is a hard watch, but one that rewards you in spades. Who else can do a film like that, as well as works like The Green Knight or The Old Man and the Gun? With his newest effort Mother Mary now in theaters, a ranking of Lowery’s work to date is surely in order.
Earlier this week, I reviewed Lowery’s latest flick Mother Mary here, stating the following:
When you watch a David Lowery film, you know to expect a unique interpretation of whatever genre he’s operating within. With Mother Mary, Lowery is workin in the realm of the mystery/thriller, though in a way that defies convention. Early on, it’s hard to know exactly what is up his sleeve, so you just give yourself over to his filmmaking and vision. Eventually, it all becomes clearer, and you appreciate being in such confident hands, though for a bit, it can be touch and go. Still, to watch Lowery take his biggest swing to date is a treasure for cinephiles.
Mother Mary starts off with a bang, introducing us to some music, but once the narrative begins, things really slow down. In fact, some audiences might get a bit restless, so it pays to know that things lock in and do pick up. It’s a quiet and meditative work, though not without sudden jolts that, while not trafficking in horror, may well startle you. It’s ultimately a very psychological work, so there’s a discomfort that can brew inside you, intentionally so.
Previously, I said the following here about The Green Knight:
I should probably start this review with a confession. You see, I’m the rare person who dislikes The Lord of the Rings movies. Moreover, I have never seen a moment of Game of Thrones. I only bring it up to day that the aesthetic and surface level comparisons being made for The Green Knight did not have me hyped. On the other hand, I so love A Ghost Story that it’s easy to trust in filmmaker David Lowery. Good thing, too, since this film really does capture your imagination. Following the beat of its own drummer, it’s safe to say that you have never quite seen a flick like this before.
The Green Knight is an odd duck, but it has a more modern sensibility than you’re expecting. In taking a somewhat short narrative in the source material, one imbued with themes of Christianity, honor and more, Lowery keeps what he wants, but as one character states, when he sees something worth improving, he does. The hutzpah is commendable, but what makes it so interesting is also the respect he shows for the material. He’s definitely mulling the story still, and it’s his goal to make you want to mull it over as well. Well, he succeeds.
This is how I would rank the films of David Lowery so far. Take a look:
7. Pete’s Dragon
5. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
4. The Old Man and the Gun
3. Mother Mary
As you can see, A Ghost Story is tops for me, while Mother Mary debuts in a pretty high spot. Despite being challenging, nothing Lowery has done has been more rewarding to invest in than A Ghost Story. It has the ability to absolutely shatter me, staying in my thoughts for weeks after a viewing. So, it had to be number one, without question.
What is your favorite David Lowery film? Let us know!
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