The Manifestations of Love
I saw the movie ‘Closer’ on Saturday night. Initially, ‘I didn’t like it', though I did enjoy it.
I have since placed aside my biases, and on closer inspection (excuse the pun), I think the film was poetic, particularly in bringing forth the reality of love and relationships with an honesty that can be viewed as confronting.
---
The movie centred around four characters, Daniel, Anna, Alice/Jane and Larry. Each represent love, but in differing forms.
Daniel is the believer of love.
He believes, or wants to believe in the notion of sacrificial love, but does not, or cannot offer it himself. He wanders the film needing to believe, and allows lust to be his guide.
Anna is the betrayed of love.
She fears the intimacy and the truth that love can offer, and subsequently becomes a victim of this fear.
Alice is the innocence of love.
She offers her full devotion, wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Jane, her old and new identity is a manifestation of the innocence of love lost, found, and lost again.
Larry is the disbeliever of love.
He is arguably the only realist in the cast of characters. He is swept in the chaos and confusion of love, and within the disarray of lies and betrayals, life becomes a cold game of power and sex.
---
Certain elements were left to the audience’s imagination and speculation; effectively drawing out the theme that intimacy cannot and does not exist in a web of betrayal. This sets the overall mood of the film, and reaches its fulfillment when Larry meets Jane.
Though subtly communicated, Daniel does find love in death, at the loss of Alice, and at the discovery that she had assumed a new identity from one of the headstones at the cemetery of those who had died saving the lives of others when they first met.
By this time however, Jane had already been resurrected.
13 comments:
Wow! That's a really impressive breakdown of the movie...
Nothing like my analysis of the movie. I really like how you've stripped away (excuse the pun) all the other rubbish of the movie, and gotten to the core of who the characters really are and what they represent. :)
it's interesting that you've picked up that Daniel has found love in death... i kinda saw that scene more like he finds out that he hasn't been in love with the person he thought he was. but rather was in love with a stranger.. which ties in nicely with Alice's first words to him, "Hello Stranger..."
But otherwise i totally agree with your analysis of each of the characters... definitely worthy of a HD in 3U English!! ;)
Good job!!! :)
That is a great analysis of the movie Al. You have the most wonderful and articulate voice.
Have you ever thought about a career in writing/media/journalism?
I found the movie a fine artistic piece of work. The sometimes vulgar/derogatory language cheapened it somewhat. However, in saying that, without the confronting language, it would have most likely become a regular flick. The cast was great and I think Mike Nichols did a great job in finding the right balance of cast and clever/confronting dialogue.
In analysing the movie Closer to the nth degree, you have taken away the pleasure involved in silent consideration of the movie's themes. Sometimes it is far more poignant to not provide your analysis and let other people think for themselves. Your superfluous dissection of the movie was merely a waste of space.
Also JT, it takes more than supreme (misplaced) confidence in one's own writing abilities to forge a credible career in journalism.
Anon, i totally disagree with you. There's much to be gained from the sharing of opinions and knowledge. How has Al done any different from you by sharing her very simple but yet accurate summary of a movie that she enjoyed? What right do you have to shoot down her views and opinions. This is her blog after all, and it's in her right to share and say whatever she wants.
In fact, i found her breakdown of the movie very refreshing and eye opening. Yes, i agree with you that there is a time and place for people to "think for themselves", but at the same time, there is much to be gained and appreciated from the sharing of knowledge, opinion and perspective. If no one shared anything what a sad world this would be. I greatly enjoy and gain much from post-screening chats and discussions, sharing opinions and thoughts about the plot, scenes, character development and themes. I think for myself, but at the same time, relish engaging in the refining and sharpening of my mind with others. If u want to have a go at someone for their critique and analysis of this movie, have a go at mine. I'm sure that you'll find much more cannon fodder in my post for you to insult and trash about. I look forward to what you have to say... :)
Your comment about her analysis being a "waste of space" was uncalled for and downright rude. If you want to lambast people for their opinions, at least have the courage and arrogance to post under your own tag, rather than hide behind an anonymous tag.
What's more, I can't believe that you actually have the gall to not only shoot down, but also totally rubbish someone else's compliment and encouragment! No one here has any "supreme misguided confidence" in their writing (except mebbe me.. :P). Has JT not the right to offer a Al a simple word of encouragement and compliment??
Have you anything good, encouraging and constructive you say?? Or are your comments "merely a waste of space"?
Gokeet I agree with your comment that it's beneficial to let others think for themselves. Any form of art including movies are a forum for thought that is interpreted differently by each individual. But this is Alvina's blog and HER forum to dissect her own thoughts & opinions whilst sharing them with bloggers in her crew. If you think it's superflous, it's your choice not to read, she's hardly ramming her work down your throat.
I find it hypocritical for you to say people should let other people think for themselves, then in the same comment trash Alvina's exploration of a movie's themes as a 'waste of space'.
Where I come from, we call people in cyberspace like you 'trolls'. Normally we deal with these by ignoring them because they're not worth one speck of time, but you seem quite articulate, such a shame that you choose to use your words and thoughts in such a thoughtless manner that doesn't benefit anyone.
I can't speak for Alvina, but for me blogging is a way to communicate, to express what's going on inside my mind and get things out that I need to say. First and foremost the writing is for myself. If readers connect with what I say, then all the better. If they don't agree, that's good too, opposing opinions sparks debate and further understanding. What I do not like are people who do not provide any opinion or insight, but are just set on being unnecessarily rude to provoke and annoy, especially to complete strangers. I never quite understood why they would bother, really, is there nothing else in their little warped world?
Al: I made up my mind to go see 'Closer' after reading your review, before all the comments appeared. Will let you know what I think afterwards =).
Gokeet, your i find your comments tedious, annoying, and downright insulting not just to Amedee but also to myself because i am a friend of hers.
Your comments are baseless, fickle, insensitive, selfcentered and selfish, and lets be frank, totally pointless and a waste of time and space! I normally do revel and enjoy engaging in intellectual horn-locking. But with you, I find no pleasure, nor even worse, any benefit from engaging with you. In fact I was prepared to completely ignore your last comment. But with this last post, I believe that you have totally crossed the line.
In my initial response to your post, I was very restrained and polite, and even diplomatic. However this time, I'm not even going to bother with any niceties. Your comments have transcended from being a "somewhat" intellectual critique of her review of a movie, to a downright personal attack on Amedee's intellect, her thoughts and opinions, and herself as a person. And as a friend I cannot stand by, watching and let that happen.
Your problem with the fact that "no one on the face of the earth naturally writes the way that Amedee does" is idiotic! Who made you King of your castle, and supreme adjudicator of how one should write their blog??!! How do you know that no one else writes the way Amedee does??? So what!! That's one thing I love (and i'm sure all her other friends) love and appreciate about her. That she is different, that she does write differently from others. She's an individual, and has every right to write what, when and however she wants to.
You're right... she does use this blog as a kind of electronic journal. And so she it is totally within her right to be as whimsical, intelligent or thought-provoking as she wants. Sorreeee if her style of writing doesn't match up to your all high and mighty standards of prose and literary form.
What I find most annoying about your "critiques" is that they come from someone who doesn't even know Amedee personally. I find that to be incredibly judgemental, highly assuming and presumptious, and most of all extremely selfish, selfcentered, and proud.
I can't believe that you even have the gall to compare your attempt to "knock some sense" into her with your faith or lack thereof in humanity. You know what... i agree with Beckster.. you are a troll... Get off your frickin high horse and go shove your head back into that little hole of yours that you call "Your Universe" and be the king and supreme ruler of your sad, little, pathetic world. And good luck to you... Cos if this is your attitude to a simple, innocent, personal blog, then I'd hate to see your attitude to the world that we live in. May God have mercy on you.
Where I come from, I think everyone should shut the hell up and let Al write her blog. If you have a comment, direct it to Al herself. If she doesn't want to reply, she shouldn't have to.
And while I'm sure she appreciate's the support, I'm sure Al is more then capable of defending her writing and her views herself. If she doesn't want to, that's her choice.
Don't turn her blog into a battleground. Take that mess somewhere else. She clearly doesn't care about the critics, so why should you?
Alvina- thanks for your review. I'm even more intrigued now to see the movie. I was initially going to just perv on Mr. Law, hehe :)
And here, here Ben.
I think everyone has brought up valid points, but there's no need to keep flamming each other as it's quite obvious neither of you are going to change your minds.
I find it very noble that Al's friends have jumped to her defence but you also don't have to be rude to Gookeet. I think calling him/her a troll was out of line.
Blog comments are here for a reason - for people to comment and share their opinion on what the author has written. Not everyone is going to agree or shower you with compliments. I find it rather naieve for people to think that commenters are only ever going to leave you with good comments. It's a public domain, people are entitled to be bithcy and harsh - just deal with it and move on. So what if not everyone loves you?
It's just a blog, a piece of cyberspace, that in the greater scheme of things means precious little.
But what would I know, I'm only a silly girl who has only being blogging and exposed to the ugly online journal world for 10 years.
*jumps off her soapbox*
i humbly apologise for my last comment if it was overhanded...
but like i said.. i was nice and polite with my first comment, but i will not standby and see my friends take personal attacks on their person from a total stranger...
was not my intention to turn Amedee's blog into a battleground...
i've said my piece..
i shuddup now...
*mockkie goes and runs to hide in the corner, rocking and sucking his thumb..."
Hey Al,
gosh are people getting fiesty or what? AHAHA just ignore! Im dying to watch the movie (Jude Law is HOT) and ben wants to too (cos Natalie Portman is HOT!) Thanks for your review! Luv ya babe
I'm sorry I haven't seen the movie. I'd like to. I'd also like to add to this discussion. But sadly cannot.
While I don't actually, in principle, disapprove of such criticisms as gokeet's, I do wonder why people bother. The only times i have left such comments on people's blogs are when I know them, and as such, probably just wanna piss them off.
Post a Comment