Strange. Although that is far too simplistic a word for it, this movie felt fairly formalistic in structure, with a story to rival the most complicated films I have ever seen. The film would require many viewings to perhaps unravel the mysteries of the symbolism and timing of events, if one can bear it. Although it may be a struggle to watch it at some points, there is also a desire to understand what is going on. Even though the mystery seems impossible to unravel, it is a film that will demand contemplating anyways. It felt like I was `reading' the movie, because the narration is like from a book, and what is happening on screen contradicts with what is being shown. I liked the use of mirrors - it made the world of Marienbad seem larger and stranger.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Sunset Boulevard
(1950)
Story-within-story
26 March 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Insufferable in some respects, although perhaps purposefully so. The story dragged on and on though the ego-trip of a silent actress who is struggling to be revived in the industry. Norma Desmond's infatuation with herself and total reliance on being 'known' is part of why I struggled so much through the film. If anything, I sympathized for Joe, forced to live with this person who expected everything to be as she imagined. What makes this film interesting is the story-within-story of the decline of the silent movie actor juxtaposed against a silent era actress acting as the silent actress in decline. The cast is full of silent actors, including Norma, and directors. Even the gossip at the end of the movie was a actor-turned-gossip in truth. Perhaps it had been a stretch for Mrs. Swanson to accept this role. I can't imagine that very many silent-era actors enjoyed the advent of 'talkies'. (possible spoiler:) Also, having the whole story told by a dead man is an interesting take on things. For all that he was murdered, he gave a rather kind story to the one who killed him.
Rope
(1948)
One shot to tell the whole story.
26 March 2003
Wonderful use of 'invisible' cuts to give the illusion of one take, going back to its original form of being a play. The acting also had a feeling of their being on stage, and so gave the impression of watching them act immediately before you, despite the camera movement. It is an interesting experience having the murder happen first, so we know 'whodunnut', but the suspense instead comes from the question, 'will they be found out?' Very entertaining performance by Phillip as he becomes more and more agitated by Brandon's flippant attitude to the murder.
Citizen Kane
(1941)
Not quite captivated
26 March 2003
Finally I get to see the most 'groundbreaking' film of all time, and I'm not sure if I'm so impressed. It may well have changed how films were made, and I can see a couple innovations that were intriguing. One was the much-discussed shot of the camera going past the hotel's sign, though the roof windows, to the table. Another is the really innovative camera angles. It seemed that the lower moments in Kane's life were captured in a low angle, which contradicts the feeling of the viewer being inferior when lower than the character. I must admit that my knowledge of what 'rosebud' was ruined the mystery somewhat, and I had that knowledge because of spoofs, of all things. If I had not known, I would have been more captivated by the character's quest to find out the significance of 'rosebud'.
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