Well Go USA has released the Russian steampunk fantasy Abigail on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD. It is an interesting film with some stunning visuals, but is it able to capture your attention with a compelling story? Let’s take a closer look.
Abigail (Tinatin Dalakishvili) lives in a town that’s been closed to the rest of the world due to an epidemic that has caused most of the people to be taken away, including her father. After doing some research, she learns that there’s a possibility her father may still be alive.
Abigail begins to search for him, not caring that the city’s law wants to stop her. She isn’t one to give up easily, though. As her search intensifies, she discovers the power of magic. She may have to master it to save the city and maybe, just maybe, reunite herself with her dad.
The film is troubled from start to finish. The story is simplistic and confusing all at the same time. Being that this was a Russian production shot mostly in English, I’m fairly confident that some, if not all, the lead actors had their voices dubbed over by actors whose voices just don’t seem to match up.
On the other hand, the production design, score, and effects are all pretty stunning. I found myself rolling my eyes one second and then dropping my jaw the next. The inner turmoil this film caused me is therapy-worthy. I wanted to love it, I wanted to hate it, but in the end, all I can really say is that I sort of liked it.
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My main issue was the voice of Tinatin Dalakishvili. Upon further research, I found some interviews with her, and she was most definitely dubbed. Whoever they chose to do her voice, probably shouldn’t have. However, if it wasn’t really their voices, and we weren’t hearing the actual delivery, then I just can’t comment on that. Actor Eddie Marsan, who has appeared in titles like Deadpool 2 and Ray Donovan, was not dubbed.
Another issue with the film was a nearly two-hour runtime. It dragged in several spots, and there was plenty of room to nip and tuck, making it a tighter picture.
As mentioned, the effects and visuals were gorgeous. Fairies, powers, and ships all felt believable. The world that director Aleksandr Boguslavskiy has created is something worth watching. Perhaps not for the story but for the steampunk backdrop and effects. If you try not to invest yourself too deeply, you may find a few things to enjoy.
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