Review of First Reformed (2018) by Steve S — 14 Jun 2018

FIRST REFORMED marks Paul Schrader's triumphant return to compelling cinema following a series of not so wonderful films that peaked with THE CANYONS. Ethan Hawke plays Reverend Toller, a minister of a church whose dwindling faith and physical health is further challenged after meeting an environmental activist and his wife.

While the film feels modest in tone, Ethan Hawke's performance and the screenplay written by Schrader help exhibiit his auteur style that is slightly reminiscent of his earlier films TAXI DRIVER and HARDCORE, particularly regarding the conflict between religion and contemporary morality that result in one of the year's best films.