Weekend Movies

[talktooloose]

spizzy has probably figured out by the comments I'm leaving on an ancient posts that I'm reading back into his journal a bit. But only a bit.

Am I allowed to tell the incestuous LJ news, neighbours?

Okay, movies. snowmit is so incredibly right: The Life Acquatic with Steve Zissou is a wonder. I liked it better than the other Wes Anderson movies I've seen. My only complaint was that the rescue on the island scene went on too long and the movie felt boggy around there. Other than that, I am in awe of Anderson's ability to make the most poignant movie in the world with a mise en scene of high parody. Also, his ability to make you gasp with the loveliness of a cheesy special effect. Must see again.

On a whim, we rented Final Cut last night which is a science fiction starring Robin Williams who is one of my favourite actors when he's not doing comedy. Now, his non-comedy characters all seem to be the same brittle, beaten and emotionally contained little man but it's a hell of a character so I don't mind seeing it re-appear in One-Hour Photo, Insomnia and this movie.

I'm sure Final Cut was born out of an editor's idle thought about what it would be like to cut a feature together out of a person's whole life. That is what the movie is about -- in the future, it becomes a status symbol to have your unborn child fitted with an organic implant that records their entire life through their senses. Then, when they die, the surviving relatives and/or friends hire a cutter to make a feature length synopsis for the deceased's memorial. Of course, the cutter removes all the morally questionable or legally actionable moments. Robin Williams plays a cutter with a reputation for cleaning up the memories of the worst of humans.

The movie gets into privacy issues in a society where many people have essentially become non-stop, covert video recorders. It also asks questions about what memory is. It's a post-Blade Runner brooding future all done up in art deco with gorgeous wooden computer consoles (I want one) elegantly photographed by Tak Fujimoto with a score that is derivative of Vertigo but damned effective anyway (always steal from the best). The movie is well-scripted and subtly acted but not completely thought-through. It raises good questions but doesn't leave the moral ambiguities hanging uncomfortably in the air quite the way it needs to. Still, recommended if not perfect and William's performance holds the whole thing together wonderfully.

Comments

[painglass.livejournal.com]

I read the book Final Cut, it was very good. Now, with your recommendation, I shall pick up the movie. Hopefully it will be as interesting as the book proved.

I LOVE your icon today!