The Iniquity Beyond

Authors: Tony
Location: Pittsburgh

“The Iniquity Beyond”

Directed by Milos Forman
Written by Paul Haggis and Brian Helgeland
Produced by Mary Sweeney
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Eric Bana as Mark Burns/Paul Patterson
Hope Davis as Beth Burns/Lela Patterson
Billy Crudup as Mike Davern
Mira Sorvino as Katie Davern
Tommy Lee Jones as Marshal Samuel Brenner
Tim Roth as Deputy Andrew Moore
Jeremy Sumpter as Henry Burns/Nick Patterson
Freddy Highmore as Joseph Burns/Adam Patterson
Thomas Sangster as Eric Davern

Tagline: "Fight your demons...but don't always expect to win"

Synopsis: In western Pennsylvania, there's a small town an hour away from any city like environment. It's a busy town for being so small, the people act like city civilians, but all in all a down to earth town with nothing to hide. Two miles out of town, a house rests upon a hill. In this house lives a father (Crudup), mother (Sorvino), and their child (Highmore). Down the road from this house is the home of a late owner who has just passed away. After months of waiting to bring a new family in their life, the time has come. Something the town hasn't seen since the people have been around, an Amish family. Eric Bana plays Mark Burns, married to Beth Burns (Watts). and father of 6 children, (Sumpter, Highmore). The family brings joy, laughter to the community, even a small bakery shop they have opened in town with their arrival. But the family brings more than happiness, they bring secrets, particularly Mark Burns. The family lives all under aliases, Burns real name in his past life is Paul Patterson.

Before moving the family lived in Kentucky, where Patterson was had raped 73 teen-agers (boys and girls), most under 13, roaming the streets as a fake officer, getting kids in his car to fill his need. Patterson was caught, and was facing 20 years in prison after pleading guilty. On December 2001, Patterson was released on bail and disappeared the day he was supposed to be sentenced. The family knew, but Lela Patterson could not abandon her husband, and the boys couldn't abandon their father, even if knowing his ferocious crimes. The family disguised themselves as Amish folk, and moved out of the state. From here on out, Paul wanted to live a clean life.

Now, Paul's past is behind him...or is it? Due to the bakery business Paul has made some very close friends, especially his neighbor, Mike Davern. Throughout the 3 years the family hid away from their past, before lead Marshal Brenner (Jones), and Deputy Moore (Roth) catch up to the fugitive, it was eating Paul alive every day. Brutal flashbacks of the past arise in this gut wrenching drama in Paul's past life, so that asks the question, are the demons gone? Is the only solution to make Paul's pain go away, is do his evil deeds again? After Marks arrest, the town was astonished. especially the Davern family, who grew so close to him. It was Paul's wife herself, Lela Patterson, that turned him in, she herself could not live with the guilt. The Davern family would be forever haunted, knowing they took this man to work, had him watch over their kids, invited him into their home...and the question will remain, did Paul leave more dark secrets behind in those few years.

What the press would say:

Groundbreaking, "The Iniquity Beyond" is bone shattering, chilling, and truthfully frightful and disturbing. Foreman has redefined the elements of fear, something we haven't seen in a recent film. Yet dramatic enough to the point where you feel your heart pouncing, and fingers twitching. Not since Foreman's brilliant on screen look at Nurse Ratched have we seen a character so disgustingly horrific when we see Eric Bana. It's a new look and act for Bana, from the clean shaved look to the black, curly hair and beard, from the heroic lovable Hector...to the troubled, haunted Paul Patterson. Banas greatest perfomance on screen by far. The Davern family is the typical, laid back family we all know and love, and Crudup, Davis, and Sangster nail the roles to perfection. Lee Jones brings his old "Fugitive" antics back, as the Marshal chasing down his assignment, as Tim Roth looks to resurrect his career as his assistant in this fine performance. All amazing performances from this great cast, especially the child actors, who have a bright future, and this film right here will especially enhance their fortunes. Do not miss the film critics will say "Outstanding"..."Film making at best". and "One of the most chilling films you'll ever witness".

Recommendations:

Best Picture
Best Actor in Leading - Eric Bana
Best Actor in Supporting - Billy Crudup
Best Actor in Supporting - Jeremy Sumpter
Best Actress in Leading - Hope Davis
Best Actress in Supporting - Mira Sorvino
Best Original Screenplay - Paul Haggis and Brian Helgeland
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Score