Gardens of the Night (2008)

Two little kids, a boy and a girl, after being abducted and mentally and physically abused, become adults and live on the streets, doing whatever is necessary to survive.

Gardens of the Night addresses one of the scariest scenarios for everyone, especially parents. The non-linear narrative tells the story in a way that sustains the suspense until the end. Producer/writer/director Damian Harris develops the plot in a way that will glue you to your seats and will make you want to intervene, step in, take action, and end the atrocity. The fact that you won’t be able to, though, something that you know but are willing to fool yourselves even for a second, will make you at least root for the kids and the adults and pray for a happy ending. I personally hate happy endings. But not when I know that tragedies like the film’s theme are actually happening while I’m writing this review right now.

It is a powerful film! Some shots will make you cringe, and there are shots, such as the one with the milk in the fridge and Leslie after the failed sex scene, that will make you want to squeeze the chair you are sitting on and cry your eyes out.

My standing ovation goes to everyone: Harris for doing all the hard work, Ryan Simpkins, Jermaine Scooter Smith, Gillian Jacobs, and Evan Ross for carrying the film on their shoulders. John Malkovich, Peter Evans, Peta Wilson, Michelle Rodriguez, Shiloh Fernandez, Harold Perrineau and Jeremy Sisto had cameos that anyone could have done, and yet they decided to participate due to the film’s nightmarish nature simply. Tom Arnold, who experienced this nightmare firsthand, took the most detestable part. Last but not least, the rest of the cast and crew who made this film possible. Bravo!

This is the American style of filmmaking that reveals a layer of our society that no one wants to admit exists. No one wants to know that it exists. A layer that is not buried deep under but right in front of us, and yet we willingly turn the goddamn blind eye because it would shake us to our core. And then we would have to overlook ourselves just to do something about it. My utmost respect to the unknown, suffering heroes who do… and the poor souls who have to endure it…

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Solidarity for all the innocent lives who suffer the atrocities of war!

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