The Raven is an enticing Sherlock Holmes type mystery/thriller with a clever plot and a phenomenal cast. Fans of the Sherlock Holmes movies and television series will surely enjoy this film as it presents a game of cat-and-mouse between writer Edgar Allen Poe (John Cusack) and a smart serial killer who leaves clues at each murder scene, sometimes on the victims themselves, for Poe to figure out. The premise in itself is brilliant and the set-up makes the film very enticing and effectively draws the audience in. So how well does it hold up?
The movie takes place in Baltimore, Maryland in 1849. Renowned writer Edgar Allen Poe has just returned to the city after having left for several years to claim the hand of the woman he is in love with, Emily Hamilton (Alice Eve), although this is hard because Emily's father (Brendon Gleeson) despises him. However, in the beginning of the film, a mother and daughter are murdered in their home and the work of the killer is precisely like one of the bloody tales written by Edgar Allen Poe. Detective Fields (Luke Evans) thus recruits Poe to help him analyze the clues the killer has left for him in the hopes of finding and catching the madman. When Poe returned to town, he was unpopular because he had stopped writing stories for the local newspaper, run by Chief Editor Maddux (Kevin McNally). Him and Poe had gotten into a huge argument because Maddux wanted stories rather than reviews. However, the killer captures Emily and he requires that Poe write more stories or else he will kill her. Thus, Poe writes the stories, brings them to Ivan (Sam Hazeldine) so he can put them in the paper, Maddux approves of the stories, and it looks as though Poe is becoming well-known once again due to the murderer. So now the task is to analyze the killer's clues and figure out where he will attack next so he can be caught, and to try to find Emily before it is too late.
The opening scene to the film is cool. We open with a woman screaming and the police "rushing" to get to the apartment where its coming from. When they get inside, the woman and her daughter are found dead, the mother's head severed with a straight razor, the daughter's body lodged in the chimney. What's my point? The movie jumps right into the action- it doesn't keep you waiting to draw you in. From here on out, the story comes alive- it is intriguing, entertaining, and very clever. It keeps the audience entertained with the little game of cat-and-mouse that ensues between Poe and the killer. There is a perfect balance between grisly murders and detective moments where clues are analyzed and such that there really isn't a single moment where something isn't happening. The plot never strays from its course or becomes all that hard to follow and there are no filler scenes in the film just to make it longer. It was truly well-written. There are a few moments where we get to hear some quotes from some of Poe's works and we get to learn about and admire his romance with Emily. Although Poe is much older than Emily, their relationship is strong and it makes for a great love story to add onto the main plot- especially when Poe has to save her. In almost each case, the killer writes letters to Poe, taunting him and Detective Fields, and he warns them that he will leave clues as to where he will strike again which is really cool- it shows that the killer is extremely clever and hard to figure out. I like the story because it doesn't only focus on the killings like most horrors do- you have to use your brain here. That's what makes a great film.
I can't lie, I do have mixed feelings about the ending though. It is good and surprising in some ways, but disappointing in others. It's good in that the killer is someone you would not expect; he/she kind of sneaks his/her way in and out of the film. It will be hard to pinpoint him/her as the killer. That's always good. However, the killer's motive could have been more creative and more personal perhaps and there isn't an action-packed confrontation between the killer and Poe really. That was a bit of a let down for me, but the ending is still good. It's cool to find out who did it and he/she still plays mind games with Poe at the end. You watch it and make the decision. Is it a complete let down? No, of course not. Could it have been better? Yes, definitely.
The acting was phenomenal!! John Cusack did an outstanding job filling his role as Edgar Allen Poe. He was very convincing the entire time. Poe was an angry drunk in real life and Cusack did a great job acting like an angry drunk when it required him to do so. These scenes were actually quite funny and thus entertaining to watch. But also, Cusack actually made Poe a likable character- as even though he wrote those gruesome stories, he would never hurt anyone. He sacrifices everything to try and save Emily. To be honest, the police force acts unbelievably stupid throughout the movie. For example, in the opening scene, the police walked to the apartment where the woman was screaming and when they got there and the door was locked, the chief actually had to tell someone verbally to break the door down. Besides that, they act pretty clueless throughout the rest of the film. If it wasn't for Poe, they wouldn't have had any idea where the killer is or what he's planning to do. Believe it or not, this didn't bother me that much. Poe gets to act like the detective- he analyzes the clues and he gets to go with the police everywhere the killer leads them and he chases the killer by himself on horse at one point. This side of Poe makes him a valiant character and shows us that there's another side to him other than the angry drunk portrayed at the beginning of the film. If the police force did their job properly, Poe's character wouldn't have stood out that much- so I say it was perfect! That's what makes this so much like Sherlock Holmes. Luke Evans did a good job filling his role as Detective Fields as well and his good side is shown when he takes Poe in after his house is burned down on purpose. Alice Eve was great as well- Emily's character was delightful, sincere, and full of ardor. Her and Poe are a good couple. Her father's hatred of Poe is also quite funny. So excellent job to the cast! Couldn't have asked for better!
The setting was also very well done. It clearly looks like the 1800s in Baltimore. It was kind of dark as well, providing an appropriate backdrop for the killer to go on his rampage. It is sort of a Jack-the-Ripper like feel. But you definitely feel like you are back in time. Different parts of the movie take place at different areas throughout the city of Baltimore, keeping the setting from being too plain. I thought it was creative that there were tunnels under Baltimore as well and the scene in these were cool. It adds to the complexity of the case and adds more mystery and suspense. The lighting and camerawork were good for the most part too.
Besides the ending, my only other complaint about the film is there are several instances where the characters whisper or talk too fast and it's a little hard to understand them. I must admit, this was annoying for me at some points and I had to turn subtitles on to make sure I wasn't missing vital pieces of information relevant to the plot. But it wasn't too bad.
So overall, this was a great film! Despite the ending not being completely satisfying, the clever plot, outstanding cast, and creative setting make this fun to watch. Trust me, the ending does not take away from this brilliant work of cinema. I will probably enjoy this movie for years to come. I highly recommend you see this one and if your a Sherlock Holmes fan, then buy it!
BaD BiRdS: EXCELLENT THRILLER!!!
~MJ Aufiero
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