Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama Summary: The contrasting moods of the movie, from serene to tragic, are effective and leave an unshakable feeling of shock and guilt (possibly of the kid you teased or the people you ignored) long after the credits have rolled.

Starring: John Robinson, Alex Frost, Elias McConnell, Eric Deulen, Nathan Tyson
Director: Gus Van Sant

So much was done to explain the horrific events of the Columbine shootings. From news coverage to personal interviews, you do get a feel for what really happened...on the surface. For anyone who's ever been a high school student, you're left to re-evaluate for yourself the relationships you had, the routines you followed, and your fellow students whom you knew nothing about.

"Elephant" isn't specifically about Columbine, though the similarities are undeniable. It's not a film about why or how everything happened. In it's basic form, the film is meant to open your eyes to the things you may never have stopped to notice.

"Elephant," up until the last 15 minutes or so, isn't about anything in particular. It tries to give you a glimpse into student life as it follows one teenager to the next on their daily routines of cruising the halls, attending classes, and socializing with classmates. There is no sub plot, no real conflict. What the viewer gets is everyday life...unmanipulated and unromanticized.

When the time comes for the planned shootings, you think you're ready for what is about to take place. You feel prepared for the ensuing violence. What you're not prepared for is how understated the action is. The guns aren't loud, bodies aren't thrown back and the blood doesn't gush. Nothing is overdone. What's interesting is that less seems to have more impact on your conscience. You're left motionless and stunned.

"Elephant" isn't meant to explain anything. It isn't meant to have a good guy or a bad guy. Even a moment in the film, where you see two kids in combat gear carrying bags of firearms, doesn't stop for a second to become the focus. Everything is subtle and unforced.

The simplistic approach that Gus Van Sant uses to lead up to the shootings adds to the overall impact and show just how real and traumatic they are. The contrasting moods of the movie, from serene to tragic, are effective and leave an unshakable feeling of shock and guilt (possibly of the kid you teased or the people you ignored) long after the credits have rolled.

In this writer's opinion, the "Best Film" and "Best Director" honors awarded by the Cannes Film Festival seem too much, but it is a testament to how successful Gus Van Sant is at leaving an impression and depicting an average school day that isn't so average at all. This film isn't for everyone. "General appeal" isn't a marketing strength. It will however, show you the depths of desperation and rage that one person could never imagine about another.

"Elephant" originally got a PM Rating of C+ with a yellow light. However, after writing and reading over this review, I realize that this film impressed me more than I thought. For those that are patient enough, "Elephant" will open your eyes as it did mine.

Rent or buy "Elephant" now.

Also, checkout these other titles directed by Gus Van Sant:
Drugstore Cowboy, Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester, and My Own Private Idaho