‘You cannot escape the field…’
English director Ben Wheatley is a weird one. Despite much critical acclaim he’s only really made one great film. The Kill List is smart, shocking and sinister, and has to go down as one of the best British horror movies of the decade. Aside from that, there is a lot of great ideas, a lot of questionable execution and a bunch of films that are just not quite there. There is no denying he is a unique directorial voice, but there is also no denying that Wheatley struggles to channel his considerable talent into making a great movie. A Field in England is another film that is very much in the nearly category…
A group of deserters from the English Civil War including the abrasive Trower (Julian Barratt) and the submissive Whitehead (Reece Shearsmith) attempt to discover some hidden treasure or risk facing the wrath of a mysterious alchemist. At least, I think that’s what was happening, it’s very difficult to say. Amongst all the mumbled, albeit beautifully written dialogue, and the chaotic editing, it’s difficult to ascertain what is happening from one scene to the next.
This works best during the final throes when the film takes a turn for the psychedelic after some good old fashioned 17th century mushroom consumption. When A Field in England doesn’t have to make sense, it excels. In this respect, it’d probably work better as a 30 minute short rather than a feature film, but for those who like their cinema to be as visceral and enigmatic as possible, the running time is no doubt justified.
Ben Wheatley has crafted a film here that is more of a modern art piece than something with a tangible story, and he wastes no time on trifling matters such as character development or plot. The result is a film that is visually arresting, but also barely comprehensible, and if not for some sterling work from the cast, I’m not sure I’d have even made it to the end.
A Field in England is an odd film and a curio. For this reason, it is worth watching, but be warned, this is a challenging piece of work.