The Nightingale [DVD]

What a powerful depiction of the Colonialization of the native Aboriginal peoples of Australia and the treatment of Irish people in servitude of the crown!

As many have said already, this is a tough watch. There's violent sexual assault, multiple deaths, and heavy racism (it's set during the British colonization of Tasmania, after all). But this is by far one of the most honest and nuanced historical films of its kind, and one of my favorite films ever. It's not content to simply depict this heinous history as it was, but instead gives us a tale of solidarity and self-advocacy between two people who have almost nothing in common, except their dehumanization at the hands of the British empire. The acting is hauntingly genuine, the editing & cinematography are superb, and even with its lengthy runtime I never found it tedious or superfluous.It is absolutely not for everyone, but for those who can make it through, this film is truly a unique and impactful experience.

Vengeance-based movies can provide some visceral fun. Seeing the “bad guys” get their due is such a trope that it’s hard to imagine anything new being brought to the theme. Whether as gloriously over-the-top as JOHN WICK or as gory as the queasy-making REVENGE (the 2017 movie), these films usually begin with some horrific acts, followed by the surviving hero finding the inner strength to launch their quest for bloody vengeance. Then a series of satisfying killings of the now frightened bad guys, ending in some kind of redemption or resolution for the hero (who may or may not survive and may or may not realize that vengeance isn’t always as sweet as hoped).THE NIGHTINGALE is a film that carefully follows these basic outlines. And yet it also takes us to some unexpected places. Set in Tasmania in the early 1800’s, when Australia was still a prison colony, run by British troops, we meet the Irish Clare (Aisling Franciosi), who, even though a prisoner, is working hard to build a new life with her husband Aidan and their baby. She hopes to receive the long-promised freedom that Lieutenant Hawkins (Sam Claflin) dangles over her head. Not surprisingly, the nasty Hawkins enjoys lording it over the defiant Clare, who must constantly quell her fiery temper and innate dislike of the British in general and Hawkins and his little gang in specific. He mistreats her, but when he rapes her, things quickly spiral out of control and it all culminates in one of the most horrific scenes you’re likely to see in a vengeance movie. (And this movie is a great example of how gore is a cheap substitute for true horror, that doesn’t require us to see gory details but to see the faces of the survivors and to hear the sounds of brutality.)Hawkins and his men soon set out on a trip through the heavily forested inner island, to reach the coast and for Hawkins to claim a potential promotion to Captain. And unbeknownst to him, Clare is hot on his trail, bent on vengeance. (This is not much a spoiler; this all happens in the first 15 – 20 minutes.) Clare is led by native Billy (Baykali Ganambarr, who is terrific), and as much as the film is a vengeance movie, it is also an exploration of racism and friendship. The treatment of the native population is an under-current throughout THE NIGHTINGALE and gives the film extra resonance. Yes, Clare is on a very personal mission, but the abuses and horror she has endured is seen as just a tiny part of the desecration the country and its people endure. And in the end, the most satisfying story of this film is not the vengeance Clare embarks on but the developing relationship between her and Billy. They bond in ways unexpected, and the only glimmers of humor or light that this film has comes from their interactions. It’s a gray movie, unrelenting in its grimness, yet brightened by this unlikely friendship.Aisling Franciosi, as Clare, is really a marvel. We’ve certainly seen characters with hatred burning in their eyes, bent on revenge…but the fire that compels her feels very specific and believable. Lest we ever forget what she has endured, we need only look at her face. It’s almost like the hatred is really all that’s keeping her sane or even alive. For a film like this to work, we really need our lead to be convincing. She knocks that out of the park.The film is not perfect. Sam Claflin’s Hawkins does enough terrible things that we certainly hate him. But I found his performance to be somewhat cardboard. (And honestly, much of the work he’s done fits that bill.) We don’t really get a sense of what inner demons drives him to what he does, or even if he’s so empty that he has no demons. And occasionally, the pacing of the film drags. It’s a vengeance film, in the end, and it needs to move with some momentum. But the momentum flags at times near the end, and the climax, while surprising an admirable, isn’t as pulse-pounding as it should be.THE NIGHTINGALE is a tough film to watch, but it is well-worth viewing. Grim and gritty, but shot through with moments of grace. It’s a journey worth taking and enduring.

This is not a revenge movie. like its being painted to be. this is a brutal look at humanity at its absolute worst, and its absolute best. its about the struggle to redeem some semblance of humanity when you have the justification to abandon every semblance of it. What is the difference between righteous indignation, justice, rage and revenge. This movie makes you think about that, if you listen .....it also is a movie about how to come back from the despair that led you there. An absolutely marvelous movies. I have never reviewed a movie on amazon before but this is worth reviewing. Do not let your children watch this, or people who cannot watch brutal, and painful scenes. But if you have people in your life that can handle brutal truth but with an overwhelming message of hope for us as a species. Watch it.a point i want to make about all of the reviews about the brittish empire: every nation in history is built on human cruelty, violence, and exploitation. Every one. I am Irish as well, this movie is not a nod to be indignant about something that happened so long ago. Yes the brittish were absolutely wrong in the way they handled the prison colony of Tasmania and Australia. but this movie isnt political. I dont think it was ever meant to be."Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine" “People live in each other’s shadows.” Meaning, we are shielded from the sun by each other, we rely on each other for shelter. People need each other.people live die and find redemption in other peoples shadows. They help us wrestle our own.

I had thought this was a horror type movie.Only disappointed bc it was not.Someone had said they were on the edge of their seat the entire time?!Ok then 👌Can't see why that is whatsoever 🤔 but to each their own.Not a bad film.Just expected much more.

J’ai rarement vu un Film aussi bon , l’actrice est juste incroyable, l’histoire reflète malheureusement la réalité de son époque des massacres britanniques contres les irlandais 🥺C’est juste très très violent et vous prend au tripes !!!Quand à la vengeance de l’actrice, c’est un bon scénario avec lequel on partage son comportement via tout ce qu’on lui a fait !Très surpris par certaines scènes très violentes !Bref un film qui vous laisseras sûrement pas indem !!!( Attention ⚠️ c’est vraiment pas pour les enfants ; même Ados…)Je recommande vraiment, c’est du grand cinéma !Merci Amazon

I'm not a huge fan of movies based in the 1800's, but this movie was made by the same person who made The Babadook. I gave it a try and I'm glad I did. While not your typical revenge flick, it has great character development, realistic situations and enough violence and build-up to satisfy one's pallet at the end. I don't want to give too much away, but I do recommend it.

THIS IS NOT A HORROR FILMJust in case you are unsure.Seeing many horror fans describing this film as horrowing, a difficult watch, with extreme violence and upsetting you can probably understand why I thought it was a horror movie.Also it was advertised as the director's unsettling follow up to the Babadook.So if you are wanting watch a horror movie, this isn't it.....Right that's that out of the way!I'm sure you've read the synopsis so I won't repeat it:Take the couple of Cornish stories, Poldark and Straw Dogs, mix them with nasty racism and set it in Australia and there is your movie.Although some may find it difficult to watch in places, Jennifer Kent's screenplay and direction aren't exploitative of the situation, but they are very emotional and hardhitting.I seriously would not have watched this film if I'd known the above but I'm so glad I did.A slow burn mastetpiece......(but not a horror film x)

skip it