In modern cinema, the most definitive depiction of platonic love, of affection and understanding, is from that scene in "Lost in Translation" where Bill Murray whispers something in Scarlett Johansson's ear. Then their characters part ways, possibly forever. It is a simple frame that says so much about them and their relation, without saying too much. Two decades before "Lost in Translation", a similar frame occurred in cinema, in Louis Malle's heartfelt "Atlantic City". It portrayed a different set of people, in a relation that is very different in nature yet similar in depth. It too, says so much about the people involved without saying too much.
The scene involves a scintillating Susan Sarandon (as Sally) and a charming Burt Lancaster (Lou), also parting ways, possibly forever. Sally works as a waitress at a lobster bar, while training to be a blackjack dealer at a casino. She is the aspirational kind, who has escaped small town Canada, with dreams of living and working in Monaco. On the other hand, it is hard to tell what Lou does for a living. He seems to have retired from a nefarious past life, but still wants to hang on to whatever little glories it might have afforded him. Lou runs small-time numbers games as well as all kinds of errands for an old widow named Grace (a hilarious and energetic Kate Reid). All the while, he steals odd things from her and sells them for pocket change. It is hard to tell where his profession ends and his transgressions begin. Yet, he is not vile, which makes one almost imagine him making a lot more money, if he were not so nice or kind. Amidst all their distractions and deviations, the film brings Sally and Lou together, thanks to chance and Lou's enterprise. They fall into some money, and also, supposedly in love.
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Sometimes, the average joe doesn't do a lot with their lives that is radical, but, they still seek and receive excitement. This could be through predicaments: little, quaint, sudden, and unexpected. As such, "Certain Women" follows three women: a lawyer who has a disgruntled client who wouldn't listen to her advice, a homemaker with a disobedient daughter and a not-quite helpful husband trying to get her ideal home built, and a lonely rancher who falls for a teacher.
Some films, this one included, have a serene meditating nature to them, both in how they treat their subject as well as how they make the viewer feel. Their focus is entirely on the metaphorical landscape in which their plot is set. This then, becomes the focus of the viewer too. There is significant attention to the environment, its pace, the surrounding climate, and then, the people that occupy it. Within this setting, the film is content with watching its characters go about their daily business, doing what they would do on any non-descript day. John Williams' main theme for "Jurassic Park" is one of the best pieces of film score ever composed. In just about 8 minutes, it speaks of a world of opportunity, one that has optimism and a place for all beings: a world of wonder and indefinite fantasy. The soundtrack for "Swiss Army Man" is mostly comprised of acapellas, and its most defining piece is an acapella ode to the Jurassic Park theme, hummed with utter beauty by Daniel Radcliffe (Music by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell). In similar essense, the scene when this piece comes up is also one of sheer magnificence, a point of immense hope in the film's narrative.
With "Swiss Army Man", writer-director pair Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert weave up a gorgeous confluence of visual, sound, and design artistry - all fused together by a keen editor's eye (sharp work by Matthew Hannam). I don't quite know how they have struck upon the idea for the film but if there's a word to describe it, I think "phantasmagorical" would fit the bill. A man (Paul Dano) rowing a boat gets stranded on a desolate island. With no rescue or help in sight, he decides to commit suicide - stopping to inspect a dead body (Daniel Radcliffe) he finds on the beach. But this is no ordinary dead body, it farts, it becomes a reservoir for rain water, it becomes a compass, it has utility: a Swiss Army Man. |
Read MoreAtlantic CityAtlantic City says so much about two people in a relationship, without saying too much.
BooksmartA comedy that is fun, while being just good cinema in the first place.
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