Benediction Review: Terence Davies' Siegfried Sassoon Biopic Soars & Surprises
Sexual repression is often represented in period pieces as a secret that could get you killed. That is especially the case when the military is involved and the fear for one's life is certainly on the table in Benediction. However, it is with pure confidence and outward strength that the gay characters in this world thrive inside. Writer-director Terence Davies may have indulged with a few too many historical cameos, but he still manages to make every performance in the film one audiences can't take their eyes off of. Both his writing and direction live in a world where the late poet Siegfried Sassoon comes to life. Benediction is graceful, intentional, and ripe with classic English poetry that pairs perfectly with found footage of World War I.
When Siegfried Sassoon (Jack Lowden) enters the war, his role as a soldier quickly evolves into that of a conscientious objector. The words he would put down in the letter to his commanding officers would go on to serve two purposes — get him sent to a psychiatric institution and solidify his future as a poet. His stay as an inpatient brings more good than bad. He finds other like-minded individuals, not just as lovers, but also people willing to think outside of the box in such a black and white world. Both his roommate and therapist offer great help in his journey. Once he is eligible to leave, many of the people Siegfried once loved are unfortunately dead, but he is truly free for the first time in his young life.
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Lowden (Dunkirk) gives a great central performance. Thankfully for audiences, the entire cast is just as good as he is, if not better. Rather than do his best historical impression of the real-life poet, Lowden embodies a
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