The Raven review

Relying on advertising must be for some companies a necessary evil. Personally, I feel that most companies don't need to spend the millions they do on advertising, but unfortunately for the cause of film, the studios MUST advertise. We all know Coke is out there and we pretty much drink whatever the restaurant has or grab what ever is available, but are we always aware of what's coming to theater's?

What's unfortunate is when the advertisements fail in every way to both successfully sell the film but also tell the audience what it is.

This is what happened to the Raven. It was undersold and possibly misunderstood therefore sold to the wrong demographic and showcased in a way that makes no sense upon seeing the actual film. While it's not a phenomenal movie by any means, it's way better than you've heard and a generally entertaining flick that see's John Cusack actually trying for the first time in years.

The Raven is a fictional account of Edgar Allan Poe's last few days amongst the living. In reality, Poe's death has always been a bit of mystery, filled with baffling third-party and so-called eye witness accounts as well as a more than healthy air of intrigue and suspicion that has more to do with the romance of his writing than what probably happened to him. In the film, a serial killer is using Poe's story as a twisted modus operandi and has the police at a loss. Poe is called in to help them understand what's going on and maybe prevent a murder or two. The case becomes even more personal for Poe when his beloved fiance' is kidnapped by the killer.

I remember when Sherlock Holmes (2009) came out and there was a bit of a hubbub in Hollywood over the idea of taking famous historical and literary characters and turning them into action heroes. I can't be certain, but I believe reading that this is sort of how the Raven came into play. Give Edgar Allan Poe the Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes makeover.

Whether or not this was the true genesis of the Raven, the fact is that the movie was sort of sold like an action-flick. Like a darker version of Sherlock Holmes.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. If the movie was anything like it appears in ads and it's trailers, I probably would not have enjoyed it. So let me tell you how it really is since the advertisement company that was PAID to tell you failed so horribly and obnoxiously.

First off, this movie has more in common with Seven than anything else made in recent production. I only bring this up to securely distant the film from the look and feel of how it was presented. Secondly, the movie does not shy away from Poe and actually pays the man many respects. He is NOT an action hero. He doesn't get the call from the police and swagger in to danger guns blazing. The dude is a poor, tormented, alcoholic writer. For most of the movie, Poe doesn't want to be involved with any of the proceedings, he's out of his depth and completely lost as to why he's even involved. Even when the love of his life is kidnapped, you don't see Poe turn into something he's not. He's the same sad, tragic character who just happens to be facing a dire threat. He doesn't turn into John McClane. You can tell this is a part and a person that Cusack actually cares about since he gives his most enthusiastic performance in years, possibly even decades? It's actually refreshing but also a bit ironic to see him come to life portraying a character that's drinking his way to death.

Having 2:30 ads featuring only Alice Eve would have been a better way to sell the movie than what was chosen.

A lot of effort has been put into focusing on the non-historical elements of the Raven. But this is funny because the movie attempts to remain faithful to Poe and his life so much, that you could believe that IF the premise actually happened, THIS is how it would have happened. Making the ending so much more tragic because of how it lines up with what we KNOW happened to Poe in his last moments.

Ultimately, we have yet another case of mistaken identity. The Raven is a solid flick that is an interesting historical what if and not a rousing action-adventure that treats Poe like someone he wasn't. I blame the failure of this movie on the wrongful impression it's advertising gave the audience AND on the almost gaily negative reviews that took pride in destroying a film that wasn't even bad. You see this often with critic's. Blood in the water, and all that...


8 / 10