Review - The Wicker Man (2006)

I did not know much about the plot of The Wicker Man before I went to see it in the movie theater but I was expecting much more than what I saw . . .

Nicholas Cage gives a rather stiff and overly toothy performance as Edward Malus - a by the numbers cop who goes into a pill popping, self wallowing depression after he fails to rescue a mother and daughter from a fiery car crash. He is then summoned to a place called Summersisle by his runaway ex-lover Willow Woodward (Kate Beahan) who begs his help to find their daughter, Rowan (Erika-Shaye Gair) who has disappeared on this oddly eccentric female dominated island.

Edward inserts himself into Summersisle and begins a rather pushy investigation on an island over which he has no jurisdiction. I found it strange from the beginning that these supposed extremely private people never just booted Edward from the island themselves. I suppose that wouldn't have made for the 102 minutes of defecation that was The Wicker Man but personally, I could have done without it anyway.

It was so sad to me that this movie turned out the way it did. There was such potential in its cast including such strong actresses as Sister Summersisle (Ellen Burstyn), Dr. Moss (Frances Conroy), Sister Rose/Thorn (Molly Parker), Sister Beech (Diane Delano) and Sister Honey (Leelee Sobieski).

One good thing I will say about the film is that it was shot in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. The film was stunning visually and very well shot. Too bad the script and acting weren't up to snuff. I will have to see the original though which I keep hearing is very good. Almost anything would be better than this abomination in my opinion. Seriously, I wouldn't even recommend bothering with The Wicker Man. It's not even worth a viewing on TV or DVD unless you are just really into beautiful scenery that is.

The Wicker Man Cast and Credits

Directed by
Neil LaBute

Writing credits
Neil LaBute (written by)
Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)

Cast (in credits order)
Nicolas Cage .... Edward Malus
Ellen Burstyn .... Sister Summersisle
Kate Beahan .... Sister Willow
Frances Conroy .... Dr. Moss
Molly Parker .... Sister Rose/Sister Thorn
Leelee Sobieski .... Sister Honey
Diane Delano .... Sister Beech
Michael Wiseman .... Pete
Erika-Shaye Gair .... Rowan
Christa Campbell .... Truck Stop Waitress
Emily Holmes .... Station Wagon Mom
Zemphira Gosling .... Station Wagon Girl
Matthew Walker .... Sea Plane Pilot
Christine Willes .... Sister Violet
Sophie Hough .... Daisy
David Purvis .... Ivy
Xantha Radley .... Village Sister #1
Tania Saulnier .... Attendant #1
Anna Van Hooft .... Attendant #2
Talia Ranger .... School Girl #3
Kendall Cross .... Female Cop
Simon Longmore .... Village Male #1
Andre Danyliu .... Village Male #2
Jacqueline Robbins .... Blind Twin #1
Joyce Robbins .... Blind Twin #2
Aaron Eckhart .... Truck Stop Patron
James Franco .... Bar Guy #1
Jason Ritter .... Bar Guy #1
Jayda Bieber .... School Girl #2
Moraea Bieber .... School Girl #1
Mary Black .... Sister Oak
Monique Ganderton .... Rams Horn woman
Talia Rogers .... Attendant 5