HIGHER GROUND

Films about religion are interesting in the way they can polarise audiences: believers are often depicted as heavy-handed holy rollers, agnostics as big-time sinners, and viewers are easily upset at the clichés and generalisations. Thankfully, Higher Ground manages to tackle the subject matter in a mature and balanced way, covering the religious journey from many angles: true belief, confusion, and disillusionment. The film marks actress Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut, and it’s clear that this lady has the chops behind the camera to match those she displays onscreen. It’s a bold move to cover evangelical religion in one’s premier effort as director, and Higher Ground won’t be for everyone. It might even make you feel uncomfortable. But it’s a brave effort, and chances are it will leave you with some food for thought. Higher Ground explores evangelical religion in small-town America, and how it impacts the life of a woman as she journeys through several stages of her faith. It’s a bold choice for first-time director Vera Farmiga, but she handles it well, delivering a brave and balanced view of a sometimes polarising subject. (KS) ***