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August 2009
FRAGMENTS

by Melissa Walters

FRAGMENTS

Release Date: TBA
Distributor: Peace Arch Entertainment
Director: Rowan Woods
Screenwriter: Roy Freirich
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Forest Whitaker, Embeth Davidtz, Jennifer Hudson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Josh Hutcherson
Genre: Crime, Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for violent content, sexuality and language)



   


























Fragments, Australian director Rowan Wood's first American feature, feels very unoriginal. The story of lives interrupted by one common unexpected tragedy, based on a screenplay by Roy Freirich, has already been told, albeit the characters in this film and the actors who portray them lend just a little bit of interest to a film otherwise worth overlooking.

Instead of a roadway the stage for this later day version of Paul Haggis' Crash is a diner, where a stranger opens fire on its unsuspecting customers for reasons unknown. Fragments of the lives of several survivors in the aftermath are displayed, including that of Carla (Kate Beckinsale), the lonely waitress, Charlie (Forest Whitaker), the unsung hero, Anne (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of a murdered patron and her emotionally disturbed childhood friend, Jimmy (Josh Hutcherson). Then there is the glimpse into the life of Dr. Laraby (Guy Pearce), who having avoided the sudden tragedy himself uses his power to save the lives of virtual strangers, while abusing the same power to victimize his wife for his own gain. The commonality shared by the victims of the tragedy appears to be a heightened realization of their insignificance in life except for young Anne, who for a time relies on feigned religious fanaticism to enable her denial.

A depressing subject matter from inception, this film suffers further because there is too much going on with too little foundation. Any attempt to relay life lessons through metaphor is completely lost. Despite the film's shortcomings, the performances given by a barely recognizable Beckinsale and a highly recognized Whitaker were predictably good. Honorable mentions are also deserved by Jean Tripplehorn, as a mother confused by her daughter's acceptance of senseless loss and Jennifer Hudson as a daughter equally confused by her cancer stricken father's despondency. However, it is the coming of age actors who steal the show; Fanning and Hutcherson offer genuine portrayals in light of difficult subject matter demonstrating a maturity beyond their years.

Unfortunately, the success of Wood's the Boys, will not be duplicated here, at least not amongst American fans of Crash and Babel.