Film Overview"Savannah" is a historic drama movie launched in 2013. It was directed by Annette Haywood-Carter. The film is adjusted from a book by John Eugene Cay, Jr., entitled "Ward Allen: Savannah River Market Hunter". It showcases the life of Ward Allen, a man from an abundant, plantation-owning family who picked an easier life as a market hunter.
Main PlotAt its core, the film is set in post-Civil War at the turn of the 20th century and depicts the real story of Ward Allen (played by Jim Caviezel), who rejects his life of wealth and social commitments to pursue his enthusiasm for residing in nature. He frequently hunts waterfowl and offers them in the markets of Savannah, Georgia. Accompanied by his trustworthy companion, released servant Christmas Moultrie (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), they browse through the ups and downs of life in their special style.
Social Class DynamicsOne of the primary styles of the film is the social class characteristics. Allen weds Lucy Stubbs (played by Jaimie Alexander), a female from a high societal background who initially supports Allen's non-conformist lifestyle. Lucy's father (played by Sam Shepard), however, Allen's lifestyle. Over time, Lucy herself becomes disillusioned and unhappy with their non-traditional way of life, straining their relationship. This sub-plot reflects on the confinements of social classes and the stigmas around breaking societal conventions.
Human-Nature ConnectionAllen supporters and personifies a deep connection with nature. His enthusiasm for the outdoors and the simpleness of life in nature significantly forms the film. He declines to flex to the societal pressure of exploiting the land and resources for financial gain and worries the value of conservation, a theme that resonates throughout the story. His rhapsodic speeches in the court defending his right to hunt, his regard for nature and animals, notably exemplifies his love for the natural world.
Cinematography and Performances"Savannah" is wonderfully shot with aesthetic shots of the Southern landscapes, recording the raw enchantment of the Savannah River and its surrounding marshlands. Caviezel depicts Allen with a wild, eccentric appeal and deep-set melancholy, contrasted well with Ejiofor's soothing pragmatism as Moultrie. The efficiencies add to the movie's deep sense of melancholy and classic longing for simpler times.
Last VerdictThroughout its course, "Savannah" tells a tale of a male trying to balance his enthusiasm and societal expectations. It is a film that welcomes you to value nature's simpleness, the outdoors, and the importance of remaining true to one's beliefs. In spite of its sluggish rate, the movie provides effective performances, elegant cinematography, and a peek into the lives of people carving their own paths in the middle of social pressures and standards.
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