this does seem to be a polarizing experience; reviews are largely either vehemently condemning or fervidly favorable. add me the the latter list. an exceptionally beautiful work that held me riveted in place.
complaints arise of the 'thin plot'. no, it is not a winding, twisted and tortured trip - all of which can make for a really great movie, but then it is not based on sophisticated dialogue and witty surprises. there is a very small mystical-overlay moment; it should not get in anyone's way; the film is not preaching to us, admonishing us, or trying to enlighten us. it is a very simple narrative presentation. the violence is brief but - well, violent.
there is one central idea: the protagonist is, or believes/hopes himself to be, finished with his erstwhile brutal and thoughtless life. the story of his decision and trip home follows; there are consequences for him. he meets, helps, and is helped by various folk along the way. maybe the film offers a hint of redemption; i'm not really sure. you don't get hit over the head here with "big" ideas.
which brings me to the point of the film's simplicity. what you find in it as 'message' may have more to do with your own expectations and views of life than anything the film is trying to feed to you.
it is a marvelous film in large part because of the actors who must carry loads of emotion with few words. the faces, the nuanced looks, even the blank looks, all captivated me. the absolutely human element, communication at its most basic, quite grabbed my attention. this is not a culture most of us will understand too well. while the faces are assuredly human and are conveying emotions we understand we cannot always be sure just why. that context, the culture behind their actions, is elusive.
not to outdo myself, but the photography is superb. this is a far better movie than many would have you believe. boring??? not! slow? like a heartbeat.
have to add a note: many are the disappointed cultural, geographical and historical purists who become inflamed at factual inaccuracies. they feel that these malaprops are pure sloppiness and so detract from the film's worth. if you are this ilk try looking at this as all made-up, a blending of times and periods meant to convey no specific place or era but one that sets a mood. the mood is make-believe, a place in the artists head, not a botched history lesson. seen more fictionally it might set better with those who tend to view more with the intellect than the imagination. don't let what was, or is, get in the way of what can be imagined. you lose if you do.
complaints arise of the 'thin plot'. no, it is not a winding, twisted and tortured trip - all of which can make for a really great movie, but then it is not based on sophisticated dialogue and witty surprises. there is a very small mystical-overlay moment; it should not get in anyone's way; the film is not preaching to us, admonishing us, or trying to enlighten us. it is a very simple narrative presentation. the violence is brief but - well, violent.
there is one central idea: the protagonist is, or believes/hopes himself to be, finished with his erstwhile brutal and thoughtless life. the story of his decision and trip home follows; there are consequences for him. he meets, helps, and is helped by various folk along the way. maybe the film offers a hint of redemption; i'm not really sure. you don't get hit over the head here with "big" ideas.
which brings me to the point of the film's simplicity. what you find in it as 'message' may have more to do with your own expectations and views of life than anything the film is trying to feed to you.
it is a marvelous film in large part because of the actors who must carry loads of emotion with few words. the faces, the nuanced looks, even the blank looks, all captivated me. the absolutely human element, communication at its most basic, quite grabbed my attention. this is not a culture most of us will understand too well. while the faces are assuredly human and are conveying emotions we understand we cannot always be sure just why. that context, the culture behind their actions, is elusive.
not to outdo myself, but the photography is superb. this is a far better movie than many would have you believe. boring??? not! slow? like a heartbeat.
have to add a note: many are the disappointed cultural, geographical and historical purists who become inflamed at factual inaccuracies. they feel that these malaprops are pure sloppiness and so detract from the film's worth. if you are this ilk try looking at this as all made-up, a blending of times and periods meant to convey no specific place or era but one that sets a mood. the mood is make-believe, a place in the artists head, not a botched history lesson. seen more fictionally it might set better with those who tend to view more with the intellect than the imagination. don't let what was, or is, get in the way of what can be imagined. you lose if you do.