thomas w schaller

A poem of a film. And often just as wrenching, and frustratingly difficult as poetry can sometimes be. Its effect and message are both intimate and universal. Acting, directing, cinematography, and musical score are all deeply affecting and gorgeous. But on a personal level, I found it deeply disturbing. In a film that stretches out too long, the end of Remi's storyline is not a period, but only a comma. Leo - who alienated and mortally wounded his friend - gets more-than-generous screentime after to wallow in his confusion, denial, anger, guilt, and redemption. Remi is allowed then to simply fade away And as in the most pedestrian of films (which this is not) the character most comfortable with his same-sex attachment is targeted and sacrificed while the aggressor is allowed to carry on and be forgiven.

This film reminds me of what it must be like trying to write a first novel. You have what seems a good idea and you get off to a great start. But then you're not quite sure where to go. So you sketch out scenes and several different endings, and finally, it all sort of fizzles out in a maze of overly complicated thought fragments and unresolved emotional set-ups. My issue with this film was not the premise or the acting (Pugh and Styles were outstanding ) or the direction. Wilde did her best to keep this whole mess afloat and fascinating. But the source material kept hinting at big ideas that were never fleshed out or in any way realized or believable. That said, it's a gorgeous film to look at. The iconic Palm Springs architecture, classic cars, 50s modern style, and beautiful cast are really stylish. The cinematography, special effects, and score keep things moving and all set a glossy but ominous tone, and again, the acting is pretty commendable across the board.

Like people in a museum , all crowding in to look at a famous work of art, we will all see the same thing from a slightly different angle. That's how I felt about this remarkable , poetic book . There are countless ways to see it, hundreds of meanings and messages . And for me , that was the beauty of it. Connections . It is all about connections - the ones that we choose , the ones we we try to make, the ones we try to destroy , and the ones that just are. They were there before us and will be there long after . We are all part of an intricate web - time , nature , humanity, the known and the unknown. Like the roots of all the trees that ever were , everything and everyone is inextricably intertwined .