My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? (2009)

Directed by Werner Herzog

Starring Michael Shannon, Udo Kier and Chloe Sevigny  (Rated R)

3 stars (out of 4)

 

I was mesmerized by this film. That being said, it really doesn't have a universal appeal. There's no real plot to speak of, and the characters are odd and contradictory. The first thing you should know is that this isn't a psychological thriller as much as it is a dark comedy. If you watch it as a dark comedy you will enjoy it much more. The whole film is a character study of Michael Shannon's character.
Michael Shannon spends a lot of time in supporting roles but he's as gifted as any actor in hollywood, if you don't believe that watch Shotgun Stories. This film shows a lot of Shannon's depth. Willem Defoe, Chloe Sevigny, and Udo Kier all spend time discussing motives, and every time they touch on something important it is shown in flash back. Shannon's character (McCullum) has just killed his mother with a sword and locked himself in his house where he claims to have two hostages. Sevigny plays his fiance and Kier plays a stage director who is close with McCullum. I don't want to give away much more than that, but believe McCullum is one strange dude, and its definitely a trait inherited from his mother. You will definitely see the Lynch and Herzog influences here.