There are numerous biblical parallels that come to mind in "Juggernaut," including the story of Cain and Abel and the lessons to be learned from the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. But the one that seems most apt is The Return of the Prodigal Son.
The two Gamble brothers, Dean and Saxon, never got along as children. One of the boys (Dean) found his way to success while the other (Saxon) landed in prison. When he is released, Saxon returns home to bewilderment and consternation when he learns that his mother died and left him money from a life insurance policy. Something does not set right with Saxon, as he believes there might have been foul play in his mother's death. The film turns into his quest for the truth.
The action is set in 1986 in New Mexico. There is stunning footage of the landscape with breath-taking vistas and beautiful rolling fields. But the interior scenes of bars, shabby homes, and the principal industry of the town, the prison established by Dean, boldly contrasts with the picturesque outdoors scenes, resulting in mystery and menace.
The film includes some untidiness in revealing the true story of what happened to Saxon's mother. In many ways, the thriller aspect of "Juggernaut" is secondary to the mood established when Saxon returns and hits a raw nerve in everyone with his presence.
Saxon is an intriguing character, who knows Shakespeare and identifies with the word misanthrope. The wise old owl of the town reminds Saxon that "we all have to figure out what we can live with." But that advice appears to fall on deaf ears with a man with a vengeance of biblical proportions.
Plot summary
After a lengthy absence, a small town outlaw returns to his hometown, violently obsessed with the notion that his Mother's death was not a suicide.
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The Return of the Prodigal Son
Long and slow, not really attractive arguments for a good movie.
I'm happy I'm not the only one that had some issues with Juggernaut. Like others I thought the movie was way too long (they could have filmed it fourty minutes shorter),way too slow (and that's an understatement),and in the end not that great. The mystery level is the only thing that keeps you watching it, but at one point it just gets boring, due to a lack of action but mostly because the story is so slow. You want the movie to get in second gear so badly but it will never happen. The acting isn't bad, the story could have been much better. A missed opportunity if you ask me.
Slow and methodical
The movie has a very basic story we have all seen before a million times but the acting, scenery and photography combined with the music give it a rather unusual and ominous sense of dread which I found quite intriguing and it told more of a story than most movies of its kind but means it will not be for everyone.
I think most viewers will find it too long and slow but I liked the idea of not giving too much away; even the ending was not fully explained in every detail and I liked the way the director just gave us snippets of the truth and mixed it all into the tale of family dysfunctionality.
One warning though: If you are in any way depressed I would not watch this as it may have you reaching for the razor blades!