DP/30: First Reformed, Paul Schrader

He is one of the legendary screenwriters of the modern cinema. He is also a high-powered director and his latest as writer/director is First Reformed, a story about a priest played by Ethan Hawke, which Schrader considers a career culmination. He took some time to sit and chat with David Poland about this film and a lifetime of work.

Shot in Los Angeles, May 2018

[FlyingOverTrut]

First Reformed shocked and moved me. I loved it.

[gloverelaxis]

First Reformed was absolutely incredible. I was totally, totally blown away.

[TheCanaryGrotto]

Masterclass filmmaker, screenwriter and film scholar. Mishima alone speaks for his talent.

[humanbeing]

In First Reformed - the most powerful and yet quiet scene was with the oppressive "energy" guy in the restaurant. He was overbearing and rude and duplicitous. I had a visceral of reaction of contempt for that energy bully. Well done!

[rettercritical]

Now thats a real legend. A serious artist. Great interview.

[NinjaSlayerSix]

Thank you for the interview! Paul's a legend.

[KJ-jepm]

First Reformed reminded me a lot of Taxi Driver. Thanks to the brilliant mind of Paul Schrader.

[Man_Ray]

6 years later and he has directed 3-4 movies since First Reformed and more if we count the scripts also. He reminds me of my dad so much. He has this natural intellect and knowledge that deepens with time. I really like this guy.

[ThirdSpectrum]

He should do a sitcom where him and Nick Nolte play brothers.

[moeezS]

16:40 Robert Bresson's Pickpocket inspired Taxi Driver, and now it looks like Bresson's Diary Of A Country Priest and possibly even Bergman's Winter Light might have influenced First Reformed. If he ends his filmmaking career on this film, that would be a great note to end on.

[bebaguette]

Can't wait for the film, even though the trailer didn't do it for me. Taxi Driver is a masterpiece, but Mishima (which he co-wrote with his brother) is my favorite of his, and one of the most original biopics ever made.

[cody]

More artists with these writing triumphs need consistent funding for their story writing

[eun-solkim]

Still wearing those American Gigolo-type glasses! I love it!

[tommyo.]

I actually had to rewind the part where he was talking about the book which influenced Taxi Driver because I thought he was talking about Notes from Underground, only to realize he was talking about some other book

[markmarsh]

He takes exquisite care of His Art, but NOT himself. ... He can barely breathe in this interview. ... and we cannot afford to lose his talent when most movies are absolutely shit.

[richardsantanna]

I didn't realize he was in such bad health

[justinkingery]

Describing THE CANYONS as "DYI" is apropos.

[justinkingery]

It's a shame Paul describes HARDCORE as "juvenile---a young man's movie." Sure, the ending Columbia Pictures imposed isn't great (and it's obvious that it's not Schrader's), but the movie as a whole, and especially George C. Scott's performance, is fantastic.

[savedfaves]

I don't completely love this film, but I do like the way it's shot. It's very confident in itself in this regard. The aspect ratio also suits the material, whereas e.g. in Ghost Story the aspect seems more pretentious.

[WattCine]

I would like to know if theres anyway First Reformed has been influenced at least a little bit by Evangelion, i really dont think so, but the movie still gives me some evangelion vibes