Winged Creatures

aka: Fragments
USA 2008, 100 minutes
Dir. Rowan Woods
English
Genres: Drama

Feat. Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Forest Whitaker, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Embeth Davidtz, Jackie Earle Haley, Jennifer Hudson

Aroview: A tired formula is tackled admirably by Australian dir. Rowan Woods in this high-strung melodrama, revolving around half-a-dozen survivors of a random Los Angeles shooting spree.

Gutsy performances from his cast aside, Woods’ direction reveals few distinguishing features beyond the overwrought storytelling expected of a Paul Haggis-inspired ensemble drama, complete with interconnected characters whose disintegrating lives regularly lurch from the mawkish to the ridiculous. Not a patch on THE BOYS or LITTLE FISH, we recommend Woods’ excellent earlier features before venturing any further…