Like Moles, Like Rats

Director:  Jim Torres

“Hope Abides.” – Michael, Like Moles, Like Rats

Filmed and set in Huntsville, Alabama, this post-apocalyptic tale occurs 20 years after “The Fall,” which, though the specifics were somewhat unclear, appeared to be a nuclear attack on America.  It follows three intertwining stories of some of the survivors who exist mostly in caves and basements far from the cities afraid to explore further. 

The first story and by far the most engaging follows young Sarah (Azura Sky), the first pregnant woman anyone has seen in15 years, as she, her mother (Diane Salinger), and the charmingly off balance Samuel (Reg E. Cathy), are forced by drought from the basement where they had been hiding up into the dangerous freedom of the outside world.  We also follow Michael (Joshua Leonard) who operates as a voice in the dark, running a radio broadcast that brings hope to all who hear it.  Lastly, we follow a band of thugs led by a crazy mother figure who eventually go after the baby.  It is really that last story that knocks the movie down from potentially stand out sci-fi to b-movie. 

The dialogue between the characters is interesting and strong filled with enchanting stories, like that of the bottle tree, and discussions of hopes and fears. I was not surprised to find the story was based on a play due to the strength of the dialogue.  The performance and cast, particularly those mentioned above, were also strong. If they had stuck with the Children of Men like storyline of the hope represented by the new child and how that overcomes the fear of leaving the caves and beginning to try to really live again, without the stereotypical mindless thugs in pursuit, it would have been a better film.  (There’s also a weird little ventriloquist thread running through it that I don’t get at all.  I’m pretty sure there aren’t that many ventriloquists now. After an apocalypse would there really be enough that they would keep running into each other?)

Honestly, one of my absolute, bar none favorite things about the film was its version of “Stars Fell on Alabama” recorded specifically for this movie, which was stuck in my head for ages after and was simply beautiful. 

Lucy Cruell