"Stone" appears to be a rather standard thriller about a convicted arsonist (Edward Norton) who is manipulating his parole officer (Robert De Niro) into letting him of prison early by using his beautiful wife (Milla Jovovich)as bait.
While that is the main plot of the film, there are some really strange undertones. In the opening scene, there is a buzzing bee. In the context of the scene, it means nothing. It is kind of in the background of a scene that shows the foundation of De Niro's character. But later in the film it ends up being really important.
In the opening scene, the buzzing sound is the catalyst for a crime done by De Niro. Later on, Norton goes around making a buzzing sound, symbolizing that he is the catalyst for what is driving De Niro over the edge.
Edward Norton's character makes repeated reference to this sound as a "spiritual breakthrough" among other things. There are also several instances where De Niro's character and Norton's character seem like they are the same or that they are trading places on some sort of level.
There is also an ongoing theme about both characters appearing to seek redemption for their past but really they are self indulgent and self destructive. De Niro and his wife spend their nights sitting at the dinner table, reading the Bible out loud while getting drunk off of hard liquor.
"Stone" has not gotten a very high rating and from reading the other reviews, it seems like most people have missed the main point that the writer and director had in mind when they decided to make this film. I think it is a better film than what it appears at the surface. If nothing else, it is worth seeing just for the amazing acting.
"Stone" is not a great film and it suffers because there are no likable characters and nobody to sympathize with. But it is a decent film and pretty entertaining if you pay attention to the undertones and subplot.
While that is the main plot of the film, there are some really strange undertones. In the opening scene, there is a buzzing bee. In the context of the scene, it means nothing. It is kind of in the background of a scene that shows the foundation of De Niro's character. But later in the film it ends up being really important.
In the opening scene, the buzzing sound is the catalyst for a crime done by De Niro. Later on, Norton goes around making a buzzing sound, symbolizing that he is the catalyst for what is driving De Niro over the edge.
Edward Norton's character makes repeated reference to this sound as a "spiritual breakthrough" among other things. There are also several instances where De Niro's character and Norton's character seem like they are the same or that they are trading places on some sort of level.
There is also an ongoing theme about both characters appearing to seek redemption for their past but really they are self indulgent and self destructive. De Niro and his wife spend their nights sitting at the dinner table, reading the Bible out loud while getting drunk off of hard liquor.
"Stone" has not gotten a very high rating and from reading the other reviews, it seems like most people have missed the main point that the writer and director had in mind when they decided to make this film. I think it is a better film than what it appears at the surface. If nothing else, it is worth seeing just for the amazing acting.
"Stone" is not a great film and it suffers because there are no likable characters and nobody to sympathize with. But it is a decent film and pretty entertaining if you pay attention to the undertones and subplot.