The Cinematheque

New Restoration

“Kerrigan’s exemplary triumph.”

Jonathan Romney, Artforum

Lodge Kerrigan’s intense and rigorous return to the themes of Clean, Shaven (the little-acknowledged forerunner of Aronofsky’s and Nolan’s independent films) is, at least at first, a purgatorial portrait. William Keane (Damian Lewis) is trapped in his memories of the last steps his daughter Sophia took at New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal before she disappeared from sight. She was, he says, abducted one year ago. Kerrigan, like his contemporary Paul Thomas Anderson and current kings of New York the Safdies, is a true believer in the opaque and uncompromising character dramas of New Hollywood cinema. Cinematographer John Foster (who shot Bette Gordon’s dreamy cult classic Variety) stalks Keane like a shadow, while Kerrigan, a classically dramatic writer-director at heart, weaves in two unforgettable supporting roles played by Amy Ryan and Abigail Breslin.

“Alive with ferocious subjectivity … Dazzling … Kerrigan [has] a Cassavetes-like brilliance in nailing down naturalistic performances.”

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

“A great, affecting movie … Astonishing psychodramatic realism … His filmmaking rewards your attention with [something] visceral and flooring.”

Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe