Portraying a darkly atmospheric underbelly of New York City life Devoured is a mysterious and intriguing tale of struggle and suffering seen through the eyes of one woman. Lourdes (Marta Milans) is a single mother who left home for the city in order to earn money to pay for an operation her young son desperately needs. Striving to achieve her goal she lives a frugal and squalid existence in a rundown hotel surviving on little more than scraps.
Each evening Lourdes heads to work at a local restaurant where she spends her nights cleaning and making preparations for the next day’s service. The meagre wage is sent home to her mother who cares for her sickly son and the only ray of light is in her nightly calls to him. To compound her misery Lourdes’ boss Kristen (Kara Jackson) is routinely unpleasant, evening threatening violence when she thinks Lourdes might have designs on her chef lover Billy (Tyler Hollinger). Faint hope comes from a chance encounter with passing fireman Frankie (Bruno Gunn) but this proves only to emphasise her growing depression and weakening mental state.
For much of film you are led to believe what you are watching is a story laden with comment on the comparisons of the decadent indulgence of the city and the heartbreakingly harsh existence eked out by some of its residents. Lourdes even resorts to incidental prostitution with some of the wealthier patrons to supplement her income. As the film progresses however you begin to suspect there is something entirely more sinister developing, and as Lourdes’ true nature becomes steadily apparent, we become drawn into her confused and terrifying world.
Devoured is a hugely impressive film on all levels. The cast’s performances are subtle and understated, played with convincing believability but it is Milans who stands out. In a film such as this the lead role is all important (there is barely a scene she is not in) and Milans delivers with brooding intensity. You are drawn to Lourdes almost imperceptibly and develop both sympathy and empathy even as her story escalates towards an unavoidable conclusion. Greg Olliver’s direction is also to be admired. Being known primarily for documentary work Devoured is a brave production to attempt but he achieves a sense of uncomfortable realism through a delicate and nuanced touch that avoids any suspicion of forced melodrama. There is an almost voyeuristic feeling as you observe Lourdes’ slow descent towards a madness brought on by desperation and deep-rooted loneliness. Olliver also makes clever use of sound to convey the emotions of the characters, in particular his lead, as there are long scenes with little dialogue and this enhances the moody atmosphere of the film.
OVERALL SUMMARY
Devoured is a film that deserves a wide audience. It is a haunting story of overwhelming sadness that will stay with you for some time and promises great futures for those involved.
