The Custodian (2012) Poster

(2012)

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7/10
Interesting!
peggysue42224 February 2021
This was a pretty close representation of heaven and hell. I like several of the explanations: God doesn't make us choose Him...if He did it would be control and control is not love. We have free will to make a choice. People fear love because they don't understand it. They think hate is the opposite of love, but it's not. Apathy is, because apathy is simply not caring. A little slow but in the end it was worth watching .
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5/10
Don't go in with pre-conceived notions
Snootz5 October 2021
One doesn't go into a film with this obvious theme... and judge it by his/her own bias and pre-conceived dogma. It's obvious in advance the writers and directors are going to put their own slant on this-- and it's not even possible to match the beliefs of every individual who watches it.

This is a morality tale that goes beyond the common concepts of heaven / purgatory / death / whatever. It's fanciful, not factual. That should be a given. Those who review this poorly because "That's not how it is"... really have no idea "how it is". They haven't personally experienced any of this. Faith and beliefs don't even come into the picture. It's a fantasy movie, nothing more. It doesn't intend to present heaven as a bright room someone walks into, nor does it present purgatory / hell in any fashion. It's a movie about personal choices.

The thing to take away here are the points of conversation between two men, starting with the truck driver at the beginning and following through all the way to the end. The viewer doesn't have to agree with everything presented or said, or even agree with any of it. It's just put out there for consideration. The film has a beginning, a climax, and an ending, all tied together. At least there are no major contradictions or plot holes, which is something in itself.

They don't have to explain everything. They don't have to have a reason for everything. This isn't presented as a realistic concept. It's just a story. It's not scripture, it's not reality; it's pure fantasy with a lot of points made about love, hate, apathy, control, and other human emotions, strengths, and frailties. If anything, it's a study about humanity.

Does it all stick together and work? Not necessarily. Could it have been done better? Yes... and has been, by other films. The theme has also been done worse, in other films. This isn't a movie about how people go to heaven. It's a movie about choices people make and why they make them.

I give this a mediocre 5 stars because I didn't find it particularly well-done from a cinematic standpoint. It was mildly interesting, but the characters were very 2-dimensional. That above all hurt the film, as the audience never really identifies with anyone. There isn't enough told about the main character to make him sympathetic. The same holds true for the caretaker; a bit is told about his back story, but not enough to really draw us in. That's the primary flaw of the entire film; it's too slow-burning without any real emotion and grit in the presentation.

It's just a story. If the viewer takes away a bit of philosophy in the process, that's fine. Some people may love it. Others may dislike it because it doesn't agree with their personal beliefs. If that's the case, they should have never started watching it in the first place. In the end, you take away from this what you choose to take away from it-- which is the main lesson overall.
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10/10
Well Done Reminder About the Pure Love We Should Have
maboh21 July 2020
Excellent dialogue, excellent examples of people struggling with the ability to ignore the wiles of the ego and the world. Wonderful way to remind yourself that "agape" love for every person is the best way to live in the world.
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2/10
Hard to Stay Awake the Pace is Sooooo Slow
docm-3230421 December 2020
I thought this film might be interesting and it started out okay, but crawled along so slow that I had to shake myself several times to keep from falling asleep.
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9/10
Wow! This seemed longer than 75 minutes but in a good way.
reflectionofpower11 March 2021
Never have a seen a movie that was this short but seemed to go much longer but in a good way. I was very surprised on the philosophical approach to the writing and acting and simple displays on getting the point across.

Just a well written, directed movie. I never in a million years would think was going to be any good but I 'stumbled" upon it and I am so glad I did. Watch it and you will not regret it.
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4/10
Weak
winginsue1 April 2021
Watching this thinking that this may have something to do with the reality of heaven and he'll and sorely disappointed. The script is slow and the dialog too esoteric. It has nothing to do with the reality of heaven and he'll and winding up in one or the other.
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9/10
Lovely
rtscannell28 March 2021
Like the concepts here- particularly of love & free will /choice. Simple, sweet & quite nice.
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10/10
Have an open mind...beautifully executed movie, 10 out 10!
jenmsdc31 May 2021
I'm someone who struggles with the concept of religion, because of that I've developed a debilitating fear of death & loss. I've always been more scientifically minded and about 5 years ago I stumbled upon UVA's perceptual studies (DOPS) and that data/research/proof gave way to my awakening & enlightenment. I'm including this in my review because even though I experienced that enlightenment I still had a hard time accepting others faith and belief in God and Heaven, I was like "I believe in Science and that's all"...so it's still hard for me to watch/read/listen to information that includes religion. WITH THAT SAID, this movie moved me in a very significant way and it was the first time I was able to interpret a story in my own way, no matter if one believes in God/Heaven or science...the message IS STILL THE SAME. Keep an open mind and you will walk away feeling loved, humbled, & inspired.

The storyline, the actors, the setting...just amazing and by far beautifully executed. Kudos to those who made this movie, you gave me something I truly needed in that moment. THANK YOU!!
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10/10
A modern allegory worth watching
freddie_l_richard22 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It is an allegory and it's rather will done on a small budget but, the story does circle around two men mainly. Overall the performance of the supporting casting (normally there only for a minute or two) is also above average for a low budget movie. Really enjoyed it.
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