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Gael García Bernal, William Hurt, Paul Dano, Pell James, Laura Harring ... see more see more... , Brady Coleman , Jessica Schwartz , Laura Clifton

This family-oriented animated special travels into the Old Testament to recreate the events that befell King David and King Saul. When Saul grows insanely jealous of David's popularity, he unleashes h... read more read more...is vengeance against David to drive him from the royal throne. But God has other plans in mind, as foretold in a prophecy by Samuel - plans that foretell David leading an army of men against Saul and winning back his title as King of Israel. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Flixster Users

49% liked it

39,297 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

77 critics

R, 1 hr. 17 min.

Directed by: James Marsh

Release Date: May 19, 2006

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DVD Release Date: October 10, 2006

Stats: 1,185 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,185)

  • kiriyamakazou
    September 24, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    Somehow against all odds The King is dark yet somehow fulfilling. Bernal is terrific in a role where he hides who he really is. His actions seem to come off with no malicious intent despite the obvious destruction they could cause. It makes for an extremely creepy and twisted pro... read moretagonist. This isn't someone who lurks in the shadows or gives you the evil eye from a distance, no twiddling of mustaches either. The revenge aspect is handled brilliantly to the point where it doesn't feel like a revenge film. It starts off with very gritty hand held camera work but as the film progresses to a more suburban local the camera settles and bright greens make it look like a pleasant world. This is also the time that religious aspects enter the film. Hurt has created an eden and left his past sins behind him but Bernal is a snake. The final integration of the King into the family environment is heartbreaking on all accounts as the metaphorical wrecking ball is just off in the distance. It's excellent stuff and crafted with care and passion without ever being heavy handed or inaccessible.
  • newvogueravyn
    June 27, 2007
    newvogueravyn
    Interesting, but the dialogue seems somewhat clunky in places to me. Perhaps that's due to the upbringing of the characters, but I'm not sure. The cinematography and music are beautiful, but I don't think I like the film. It's a good film, I just don't engage with it very well. S... read moretill, what a way to conduct revenge.
  • gator681
    June 12, 2006
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "The King", Elvis(Gael Garcia Bernal) has just been released from the navy and is heading home. Home in this case is Corpus Christi, Texas where his illegitimate father, David Sandow(William Hurt), is now a very successful preacher, married with a family o... read moref his own. His son, Paul(Paul Dano), is about to graduate high school and has been accepted at Baylor University, but not before trying to persuade his high school to teach intelligent design. His daughter, Malerie(Pell James), is a couple of years younger than Paul. David refuses to have anything to do with Elvis and does not tell his family about him. This does not stop Elvis from actively pursuing Malerie...[/font]

    [font=Century Gothic]"The King" is a good movie which is reminiscient of the morally ambiguous movies that Francois Ozon and Michael Haneke have made. It is unclear what Elvis' motives are or what he hopes to gain but it is clear that he does throw a wrench into David's carefully cultivated life. David is not a hypocrite but somebody who truly believes in God.(He distances himself from Elvis because he views him just as the result of a past indiscretion. Whether or not there is anything racist in his attitude is another question.) He does follow a stereotypical conservative behavior pattern in driving an SVU and hunting with his son while his daughter cooks and cleans. But in this film, Texas is pictured as being much more secular than its stereotype. [/font]
  • danieljparsons
    June 6, 2009
    danieljparsons
    Some spoilers ahead.

    Constantly testing the limits of plausibility, The King largely succeeds due to the strength of the acting and subtle, low-key direction. Gael Garcia Bernal shows exceptionally little emotion - he is cold and vicious, although it's hard to know if h

    ... read moree's being deliberately calculating, or if he's just unhinged, or (most probably) a combination. Pell James is especially brilliant in the most difficult to believe role. Her reaction when Elvis tells her about Paul is so convincingly played that it's almost possible to overlook how much it actually stretches credibility. The very difficult to watch sermon at the end of the film demonstrates Pell James' skill with body language and emotion as we see her gradually realise the full extent of the truth. William Hurt also puts in a typically layered performance. In truth, this film is so melodramatic in content that it would be impossible to take seriously were it not so understatedly played and filmed. A very interesting film.

    "We're going to hell."
  • Lemure
    April 8, 2009
    Lemure
    "from the writer of Monsters Ball" - and it shows, that guy could really do with taking a holiday, watching cartoons, getting laid, anything to cheer him up. This film is pretty damn bleak and seems determined to be that way. It's not a total loss though as there's some wonderful... read more acting from William Hurt and Benal, the problem lies with a severe lack of characterisation on Benal's part which makes his actions seem odd. Just another ten minutes to explain his background, that's all it needs.
  • jimbotender
    April 8, 2009
    jimbotender
    The King is dead.Pronounce the actual king.Elvis...isn't it ironic?Whether it's fiction or not,the protagonist is a punisher,a living avenging machine.Bernal is vicious under his cold expression and despite some straightforward situations after 45 minutes,it'll give you a specifi... read morec thought against religious intolerance towards the end.Great film but no masterpiece.
  • ileo
    January 1, 2008
    ileo
    Great!
  • trisarahtops22
    July 25, 2007
    trisarahtops22
    The plotline is outrageous but somehow believable and it makes for a slightly unpredictable thrilling drama
  • Yeolita
    June 3, 2009
    Yeolita
    Bernal & Hurt are really good as the characters they play in The King. A dramatic thriller; a look into the "wrath of a woman scorned" is what this movie becomes at the skeletal frame! You know things are bound to happen but you just dont know how they will manifest. Therefore, t... read morehe film is full of surprises, then it becomes a suspense...a darlky unforgettable and unforgiving heartfelt tale! Pell James, Paul Dano and Laura Harring are excellent in their support roles too. All very convincing performances.
  • Jungian
    September 30, 2008
    Jungian
    lack of character development and plausibility make this a chore to sit through. the impressive performances from the cast is unfortunately its only highlight.

View All The King Reviews

Critic Reviews

Michael Booth
July 7, 2006
Michael Booth, Denver Post

A showcase for big ideas that winds up feeling empty. Full Review

Steven Rea
June 23, 2006
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Chilling and compelling.

Colin Covert
June 22, 2006
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

It is an intelligent, disturbing thriller.

Peter Howell
June 16, 2006
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

A deeply involving film where intentions are as cryptic as the title, and the reckoning of past sins opens fresh wounds. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
June 16, 2006
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

The web gets more tangled until, midway through, the drama drops and the film becomes yet another bloody horror show. Full Review

Liam Lacey
June 16, 2006
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Even if the filmmakers are to be distrusted as slumming ethnological tourists, they treat the message of religious fundamentalism seriously. Full Review

Wesley Morris
June 16, 2006
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

He's played morally unsettled men before, but Marsh doesn't bring a sense of torment or menace out of Bernal the way other directors have. Full Review

Roger Ebert
June 16, 2006
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's the kind of work where characters develop on their own, without consulting the book of cliches. Full Review

Desson Thomson
June 15, 2006
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

[Marsh] and co-writer Milo Addica display such contempt for their characters and religious conviction in general, they reduce everything to one-note banality. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
June 15, 2006
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Disturbing, but not haunting or soul-scorching, which is obviously what the filmmakers wanted. Full Review

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