THE LAZARUS PROJECT
US, 2008, 100 minutes, Colour.
Paul Walker, Piper Perabo, Brooklynn Proulx, Bob Gunton, Lambert Wilson, Linda Cardellini, Malcolm Goodwin, Shawn Hatosy.
Directed by John Patrick Glenn.
The Lazarus Project is an unusual film in its plot, a criminal on death row undergoing execution but finding himself injected with drugs and transported from Texas to Oregon so that he can begin a new life and rehabilitation. The film is mysterious in the sense that the audience puzzles over what actually happened, glimpses being given in the central character’s memories, a final explanation as he breaks through the secrecy in the institution where he finds himself. On the level of realism, the plot has a number of holes – but, given the drama, the audience is carried along, despite the deliberately slow pacing of the film.
Paul Walker is efficient as the central character, a reformed criminal who is forced into committing a crime by circumstances and his brother. Shawn Hatosy is the brother, Piper Perabo is his wife. Bob Gunton is the priest in charge of the mental institution. Lambert Wilson has a few moments as one of the scientists.
1. The impact as a drama, the touch of science fiction, realism, fantasy? Psychological drama?
2. The title, Lazarus raised from the dead, a new life?
3. The initial portrait of family life, very ordinary, Ben in his workplace, the contrast with the robbery and the offices? Jail? The contrast with the institution in Oregon, the vast building, the religious dimensions, the tunnels? The grounds and the forests? The musical score?
4. The introduction to Ben, the explanation of his past, relationship with his wife and daughter, their love for him, his devotion to them? His work, skills, the boss and his sympathy, hoping for the promotion? His criminal record being held against him, his being sacked? His wife wanting to study, the need for money for the fees? His hopes?
5. The changing financial situation, the visit from his brother, his brother and jail, the partner, discussing, the plan for the gold dust robbery, Ben refusing? Changing his mind? The thug on the job with them? His brother and the debt? His skills in cutting the wires, the signal given, the police, the shooting, his arrest, the court, blamed for the deaths, the death sentence? The visits from his wife and daughter, preparing for his execution? The scene of his death?
6. The Lazarus Project, Ben walking in the country, the mystery, Oregon, the reference to the bus crash? Father Ezra, welcoming him, the job, the house, the details of his work, the grounds?
7. His memories, the glimpses of Avery and his control over him? The puzzle?
8. The past, the new life, letting the past go? The difficulties, the memories of his family, the drawings? His discovery of the implants, the drugs and their effect?
9. William, the death of his father, his being interned, his despair, wanting to escape, throwing himself to his death? Robbie, mentally slow, friendship? Julie, her relationship with Ben, his advances, her resistance, being on the staff?
10. The other members of the staff, the doctor, the observations, the injections?
11. The character of Ezra, the priest, his control, his philosophy of rehabilitation? The threat of exposure?
12. Ben, his discovery of the truth, the confrontation, the destruction, his escaping, going back to his family?
13. The plausibility of the ending – the plausibility of the plot, this kind of rehabilitation, drug rehabilitation? Or a fantasy? A Purgatorial experience? Or in the mind and wish-fulfilment of his daughter?
