Movie Review: Adam
One-liner: A haunting and slow-burning to underwhelming coming-of-age drama with a solid cast.
Adam is a topical drama about a headstrong young man named Adam, who’s sent to a militaristic farm school where he is primed to “man up”. His mother decides this is the best course of action for Adam after an overbearing boyfriend enters the scene, urging her to get her 18-year-old son to find himself and prepare for the real world. While at first reluctant, Adam takes to the new training regime and drills but quickly discovers the training school and head teacher’s darker side.
This South African drama, written by Winford Collings and directed by Liyema Speelman, was inspired by their brutal high school experiences. The story recalls Full Metal Jacket where a character is forced to breaking point at a boot camp style setting. An aggressive “corporal” drives the programme with an extreme brand of tough love designed to break spirits in a bid to rebuild and toughen up conscripts to become men or soldiers. This loaded mentor-apprentice dynamic also fuelled the local coming-of-age drama Moffie, charged with a much more extreme prejudice in its examination of the South African Defence Force at the time. While a stripped-down version, this central concept is the driving force behind Adam using the platform to examine several male archetypes.
From the outset, the haunting film contrasts an antagonistic boyfriend and potential stepson scenario where the patriarchal influence finds a young man powerless to his enrolment at the academy. Seemingly directionless, simply biding his time at home, his mother Carol seems to cave into the idea that it could be good for the boy. A trial by fire, Adam goes from this cozy home life to hardened barrack-style living. He must adapt in order to survive and finding his feet at this new academy takes some doing, aided by fellow conscripts in their shared trauma.
Being singled out and made a scapegoat to his peers, “headmaster” Derek takes aim at the soft target, preventing him from reaching out to his support system. A cruel taskmaster trying to live in his father and grandfather’s shadow but struggling to hold on to the patriarchal control Adam does make an interesting character study, unpacking an old way of thinking. Trying to remain head of the home in full control of his own son’s destiny and keeping his wife under the thumb this tyrant reaches his own boiling point as he tries to dominate those around him in the dying embers of his influence.
“They want us farm strong.”
A solid cast do their bit in bringing the characters to life trying to syphon as much raw power out of the dialogue as possible. Led by Marko Vorster in the challenging titular role, the Donkerbos actor is aloof and reminiscent of Timothée Chalamet. He’s supported by the likes of Antoinette Louw, Inge Beckmann and Dirk Stoltz, who all contribute dependable performances with their presence felt.
Adam is a modest production, using its timely themes to create tension as it examines each of these men and the stoic women in their lives. There is a slow-boiling tension throughout the film as the various scenarios play out, subverting expectation and dealing with a school of literal hard knocks and post-traumatic stress disorder. There are also some interesting ideas at play as the filmmakers explore some of the underlying dynamics that compel these men from low self-esteem to debilitating paranoia and unfulfilled legacy.
An earthy colour palette, this low-key and haunting drama has an artistic eye and reaches for edge and finesse. The setup, themes and characters are well-realised and there is an air of suspense to this cautionary tale. A curious examination of the masculine identity, it is mostly subtle in its approach, taking its time to peel away layers to the drama. While it navigates a minefield of possibilities and darkens at times, the suspense and weight is more circumstantial than actually felt.
While a noble effort with some thoughtful moments it does come across as a little inert and underwhelming. An intimate and slow-burning character study and ensemble drama, the script isn’t quite heavy enough in order to power home. The drama teases at some heading in some bold directions but ultimately plays it safe, working towards a climactic moment that comes as a dull surprise. There’s still much to appreciate in Adam with a dedication to telling a more substantial story with powerful themes in a provocative way. Unfortunately, the stakes aren’t quite high enough, it feels constrained, and doesn’t quite do enough to distinguish itself.
The bottom line: Provocative
