Higher Ground (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Reid V

  
  Poignant thought-provoking moments strung together in an overall poorly-structured piece. I really wanted to like this movie since there was a lot of material that I felt I could be personally connected with. However, I don't feel like I got to know anybody in the film.… More
  Poignant thought-provoking moments strung together in an overall poorly-structured piece. I really wanted to like this movie since there was a lot of material that I felt I could be personally connected with. However, I don't feel like I got to know anybody in the film. Especially the supporting character. Some many "special" relationships felt surprisingly empty due to the lack of depth that the supporting characters are given. It is an interesting first film and one that had a lot of really good ideas. Sadly though, they werent fleshed out as well as I would have wanted and it was hard to get really immersed in the film.

• Bathsheba M

  
  Huge believability (no double entendre intended) factor in this movie. It managed an insiders look at a closed religious community without becoming either preachy or dismissing the faith of those involved. It's just the story of one woman's trying and failing to feel the… More
  Huge believability (no double entendre intended) factor in this movie. It managed an insiders look at a closed religious community without becoming either preachy or dismissing the faith of those involved. It's just the story of one woman's trying and failing to feel the affect of pure belief. Nicely told. Ambiguous ending was just the right tone, because matters of faith and what community you chose to belong to are not matters that get settled in two hours or even, sometimes, a life-time.

• Mark H

  
  Emotionally shattering tale of a Fundamentalist Christian who struggles to keep her beliefs in a religiously tight-knit community. The movie is loosely based on novelist Carolyn S. Briggs' memoir This Dark World: A Story of Faith Found and Lost. She also co-wrote the screenplay.… More
  Emotionally shattering tale of a Fundamentalist Christian who struggles to keep her beliefs in a religiously tight-knit community. The movie is loosely based on novelist Carolyn S. Briggs' memoir This Dark World: A Story of Faith Found and Lost. She also co-wrote the screenplay. Given that ominous title, I would've expected a much more critical take. Higher Ground is surprisingly sensitive of a religion often caricatured in contemporary films. This year alone has seen it an object of ridicule in both Paul and Red State. The script goes a long way in dislodging the stereotypes of Christian Fundamentalism. It's the unique perspective that makes the film so utterly original. Never mocking, it's a vividly written and moving account about a convert. Higher Ground is challenging. Fundamentalist Christianity is a difficult subject. It's pretty foreign. Usually the source of comedy, it becomes a tough sell as sensitive drama. Few people will brave this story. But for those with an open mind, they're in for a take on a subject that is wholly original. People will ultimately take away many different reactions to her journey. But writers Carolyn S. Briggs and Tim Metcalfe imbue their characters with dignity and respect. That's what keeps the viewer riveted. This is a deeply poignant drama that approaches its subject with intelligence and sensitivity. Make no mistake, this is not a glorified tale. It's heartbreaking. But the struggle presented here is honest and unexpectedly life affirming.

• William D

  
  "Higher Ground," Vera Farmiga's directorial debut, reminds me of "The Apostle" (1997), the second film that Robert Duvall directed. In both cases, a well-known actor tries his hand at directing and surprises everyone by choosing a story focused on Christians.… More
  "Higher Ground," Vera Farmiga's directorial debut, reminds me of "The Apostle" (1997), the second film that Robert Duvall directed. In both cases, a well-known actor tries his hand at directing and surprises everyone by choosing a story focused on Christians. It's unusual subject matter for American filmmakers, and it's a joy to see Duvall and now Farmiga exploring the kinds of stories their peers ignore. Duvall and Farmiga also show courage and open-mindedness in maintaining a respectful approach to the characters. Most people involved in cinema are atheist or at least agnostic and especially look down on Christians. It's refreshing to see these two leaders in contemporary cinema cutting against the grain by showing respect toward the devout. Unfortunately, as with "The Apostle," "Higher Ground" isn't a great film. But it's good, and at times it's very good. -- unfinished.

• Jeff T

  
  One of this year's loveliest surprises so far, HIGHER GROUND is a rare, rare thing: a movie about faith that is actually about faith. Without snark or wink, Vera Farmiga both directs and acts this movie with a plainness that speaks volumes, and a power that sneaks up on you.… More
  One of this year's loveliest surprises so far, HIGHER GROUND is a rare, rare thing: a movie about faith that is actually about faith. Without snark or wink, Vera Farmiga both directs and acts this movie with a plainness that speaks volumes, and a power that sneaks up on you. It's a chronicle of one woman's evolution through belief into a fuller being, and I honestly was quietly blown away by it. Also full of beautiful supporting performances (my personal favorite is a stunning turn by Joshua Leonard as Farmiga's slipping-down-the-rabbit-hole husband), the film has very few false steps. There's some fantasy work that seems a little unnecessary but that's a mere quibble for a film that bravely seeks the truth of human behavior in an area that we never explore well - namely, our relationship with what is beyond us. And this film explores it just right.

• Walter M

  
  "Higher Ground" starts with Corinne(Vera Farmiga, who also directs) being submerged in water. She is not dying, rather reborn and baptized into a new life. She takes the time to recount her life, starting with when she was a child(McKenzie Turner), witnessing the collapse… More
  "Higher Ground" starts with Corinne(Vera Farmiga, who also directs) being submerged in water. She is not dying, rather reborn and baptized into a new life. She takes the time to recount her life, starting with when she was a child(McKenzie Turner), witnessing the collapse of her parents'(Donna Murphy & John Hawkes) marriage. In the meantime, she is given a ride to Sunday School while not being allowed to take out "Lord of the Flies" from the local library. However, as a teenager(Taissa Farmiga), she finds a way around that. Reading is good because she dreams of becoming a writer. But then rock and roll comes along to derail that. So, not only is Vera Farmiga a great actress, but her first feature, "Higher Ground," is an assured first feature(She also sings here.) in skillfully handling the complicated subject of religion with grace. While this tight knit community of Christians in upstate New York might look a little strange to some of us who live downstate, they are treated with the utmost respect, even though they are not without flaws, with some subtle criticism of their sexism. It should be pointed out that there is evidence that Corinne's life might have been much worse if she had not found religion. As time moves on through the years, there is little change as there is a continued struggle between the theory of saintliness and the reality of their domestic lives which includes sex.(And if I ever see another drawing of a penis, it will be too soon.) That is exacerbated when signs and signals get occasionally confused, not only between spouses, but also of the wider world, which leads to confusion and misunderstanding. Corinne herself has visions like the wild boar and the dogs at the end but is sometimes at a loss of words to properly express them.

• Ryan M

  
  *** out of **** Corinne, the protagonist of "Higher Ground", is a woman who was born and raised around religion; within the boundaries of a strictly Christian community. As a child, she did not question her God; she was thankful for what he had supposedly given to her, or… More
  *** out of **** Corinne, the protagonist of "Higher Ground", is a woman who was born and raised around religion; within the boundaries of a strictly Christian community. As a child, she did not question her God; she was thankful for what he had supposedly given to her, or at least, she just followed the teachings of both the Lord and the good people of her community. Those were the days in which ignorance was bliss; but as Corinne grew older, she became more intellectually complex. This is only normal; but would it be normal, in the eyes of the Church-going folk, to even consider abandoning her faith? We follow Corinne from childhood, to her teen years and finally to adulthood (where she is played by Vera Farmiga). From her teen to her adult years, we witness the change in her beliefs; and frankly, there doesn't seem to be much at first. When she was at the ripe age of 20, she was doubtful when it came to God and his word, but a tragedy - which both she and her entire family evaded - changed everything, and now she considers herself one of those "born again" Christians. From then on, she lives a happy adult life, married and with children. One could say she's a housewife, but then again she's far less vulnerable and desperate than that. I admired Corinne throughout the picture because she was independent, free-spirited, and intelligent to the point where she knew when to say enough questioning is enough. The film, which marks the directorial debut of actress Farmiga, is a story about faith and individualism; among other things. It deals with some touchy subjects indeed, but it treats them with enough respect so that we can invest in both the drama and some of the comedy that follows with them. The story is one of inconsistent tones - one moment, it's a tense drama, and another it gears more towards satirical territories - but to say it's uninteresting would be a lie. No doubt, I've seen a great many films dealing with philosophical themes surrounding religion, but for what it is, "Higher Ground" is fairly provocative, or at least it's good enough to engage. And it certainly makes me want to see more out of Farmiga; not only as an actress, but yes, also as the woman behind the camera. What keeps the film from being great is, alas, its flawed simplicity. People need to understand one thing, if they happen to walk into this movie: it will not offer up insights in the form of big ideas, but rather insights in the form of smaller ones. Insightful is the right word to describe this kind of movie; one that is intelligent and entertaining, but also a little disappointingly typical. My problem was that I could only resonate with the film thematically; and therefore, some of the actual emotion ran almost completely dry. I still watched as it unfolded, but it tends to lack the payoff that would have made it, well, more than the sum of its parts. Nevertheless, I really admire this film. It's a feel-good religious tale; populated by genuinely nice people, save for a single mean one, played by John Hawkes (who can play mean quite well). I left the film feeling, you know, kind of nice; given that the film is intriguing and simple in healthy, equal doses. Sure, it doesn't go out of its way to promote a state of intellectualism, but for most modern movie-goers, it should satisfy as well as entertain. I see it as imperfect, but still plenty solid; not to mention also very, very well-acted. What Farmiga lacks in visual style she makes up for in a general sense of restraint and control; on the material, no less. She seems to understand it, and she might even possess a sort of emotional connection with it. That is, after all, why people make movies like this one in the first place, right? That gets me thinking that, even though I have my complaints about the movie, I still liked it. It will probably hit close to home for a lot of people, and even I could connect to specific aspects of it. I wish it could have explored its themes with more depth, but out of the essential ingredients that it bears, there's a sort of startling beauty. Religious, non-religious; I think it's safe to say that the film has a wide audience, and that's why I'm recommending it.

• Alec B

  
  I'd like to give this a higher review, unfortunately the film has a poor sense of the passage of time so its confusing as to where we are or how old the character are at any point in the story. Still, what I am impressed by is the tone. Farmiga (in a dual director/lead actor… More
  I'd like to give this a higher review, unfortunately the film has a poor sense of the passage of time so its confusing as to where we are or how old the character are at any point in the story. Still, what I am impressed by is the tone. Farmiga (in a dual director/lead actor role) thankfully keeps the story simple and downplays moments that could become melodramatic or preachy. The central characters journey from devote believer (or at least someone who really wants to be a devote believer) to a woman with serious doubts makes sense and isn't forced. The film neither condescends to the religious fundamentalists depicted here nor excuses their most questionable beliefs, which is a difficult line to walk. I also find fascinating the way the relationship between religion and community is portrayed and how the need for one might cause someone to make personal compromises in regards to the other.

• Philip P

  
  I have always found Hollywood's relationship with religion interesting if not disrespectful. They look down upon those who find comfort in a higher power, who strive to live a better life to win the approval of a God that may or may not exist. Hollywood looks down upon them… More
  I have always found Hollywood's relationship with religion interesting if not disrespectful. They look down upon those who find comfort in a higher power, who strive to live a better life to win the approval of a God that may or may not exist. Hollywood looks down upon them because it is more of a self-interested place and one where the here and now matters more than the what is to come. It has always painted religious people as persons of black or white, of absolutes. This part at least, is false with most Christians. There is a versatility to people no matter if you believe in God or not and that is what director and star Vera Farmiga explores with her directorial debut "Higher Ground". The film tells the story of Corinne Walker (played by Farmiga in her adult years and younger sister Taissa in her teens) a woman who as a small girl wanted to give herself to God. As she matures into her teens though she becomes interested in things some might not deem holy. She falls for a young rocker with long hair and aviators and is soon pregnant and they are married. It is after a few years of marriage that Corinne and her husband Ethan (Joshua Leonard) join a small house church and give their lives completely over to God. The characters and their ideals are handled with such grace it is almost strange to see them depicted this way as we are used to either being talked down to or dismissed as weirdo's. Religion and God are no doubt difficult subjects to tackle but Farmiga shows Corinne struggle while never really dismissing her faith. She illustrates Ethan as a man so burdened by his ideals that he becomes the last thing he ever really wanted to be. The presence of God seeps into every aspect of their lives that for Corinne it almost begins to feel intrusive as she begins to questions the mindset of those she has surrounded herself with. It is an insightful film that every person will likely have a different reaction to, but regardless it is refreshing to see a film about faith treated with respect and authenticity.

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