Winged Creatures (2008)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Rowan Woods

Writer (WGA):

Roy Freirich (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 2009 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

You have to lose your way to find it.

Plot:

A group of strangers form a unique relationship with each other after surviving a random shooting at a Los Angeles diner.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Cast

Marshall Allman	...	Dan the Bellhop
James Babson	...	Bike Shop Owner
Jacquie Barnbrook	...	Lori's Mom
Kate Beckinsale	...	Carla Davenport
Ankur Bhatt	...	Cubicle Neighor
Kevin Cooney	...	Travis Carlson
Embeth Davidtz	...	Joan Laraby
Michael Drummond	...	Prayer Group Kid #2
Kevin Durand	...	Bagman
Dakota Fanning	...	Anne Hagen
Andrew Fiscella	...	Numbers man
Soren Fulton	...	Howard
Gina Gallego	...	Waitress
Ted Garcia	...	Funeral Reporter
Troy Garity	...	Ron Abler
Walton Goggins	...	Zack
Beth Grant	...	Carla's Mom
Tim Guinee	...	Aaron Hagen
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Bob Jaspersen
Gwen Holloway	...	Social Worker
Jennifer Hudson	...	Kathy Archenault
Josh Hutcherson	...	Jimmy Jaspersen
Cohl Klop	...	Prayer Group Kid 1
Mela Lee	...	Internal Medicine Receptionist (voice)
Elaine Loh	...	Losing Gambler
Brooke Mackenzie	...	Traci
Hayley McFarland	...	Lori Carline
Jamie McShane	...	Stickman
Debrah Neal	...	Casino Lounge Singer
Lu Parker	...	TV Reporter
Randall Park	...	Resident
Guy Pearce	...	Dr. Bruce Laraby
Lara Phillips	...	Woman
Tarina Pouncy	...	ICU Nurse
Jeff Rector	...	Sheriff
Santos Reyes	...	Eddie
Al Ruscio	...	Angelo
Kent Shocknek	...	TV reporter
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Doris Hagen
Robin Weigert	...	Lydia Jasperson
Forest Whitaker	...	Charlie Archenault
Whittni Wright	...	Hannah

Also Known As:

Fragments (USA) (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violent content, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:16 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Altadena, California, USA

Company:

Artina Films

Trivia:

Director Rowan Woods was rumored to have said that Dakota Fanning was difficult to work with and to have claimed he ended up cutting many of her scenes. The director released a statement denying these rumors.

Quotes:

Anne Hagen: [standing with Jimmy at the top of a building from where Jimmy had been planning to jump] What fo you think you're doing, Jimmy? Come on. It's going to be okay.
[Jimmy shakes his head as he is getting close to crying]
Anne Hagen: Jimmy.
[Anne puts both her arms across his waist]
Anne Hagen: Jimmy. It's still just the two of us. Come on. Come on.
[Jimmy slowly steps down so that he may turn around, then Anne holds him in her arms, kisses the side of his face, his cheek, and finally his lips before walking away, Jimmy watches her go in silence]

Simply Stunning

Wow occasionally films like this break the waves of normality in film making much like films such as Magnolia and Grand Canyon before it, and try and pull a cast together that is willing to really submerse themselves into the roles, the dialogue and the coming together of all the pieces needed to make a story like this work. And boy does this film work.

From the opening credits to the voice-over ending its compulsive, brutal, gentle and intelligent. It has an emotional intelligence in its writing that sets the bar that little bit higher. It doesn't shock you into compassion it takes you on that journey of shock, denial, desperation and the coughing stumbling stuttering realisations which grow and release from living (and surviving) life.

I wont mention any specific performances other than to say look at the cast list, pick a favourite, and you are rewarded with stunning lead worthy performances even from the much smaller parts.

You can get wary of cinema that tries too hard and cinema that does not try hard enough this hits it straight down the middle, and is testament to the skill, talent and vision of everyone that worked on this film.

Sincerely "Thank you" for making this film.