The New Experience
My #1 film of the year was a surprise to me. My internal monologue wasn't about placing the film in context in the solid year of 2005, but about it's place in the decade, my personal favorites, and even all-time. But it's not an easily recommended film, because it eschews so many standards that make people comfortable watching movies. It was hard to review, and it's hard to discuss, unless you are talking with other people that have seen it.
The New World
My initial reviews: 1/28/06
I loved the film, much more than I even thought I would. It was more intimate and focused than The Thin Red Line, and I was ready for it. I had no idea what to expect in 1998, and that distorted my viewing. This time, I knew what set the director apart. What made him, and his films, special. I was still struck again and again, and the simplicity with which Malick creates beauty. He makes simple shots into something much richer, much more layered. But as much as I want to talk about why Malick is so special, I'd rather talk about how incredible this film is.
None of the artifice or pretense that is a staple of filmmaking seems apparent in the film. The viewer is directly coupled to the story, and is never cheated or manipulated. As a film lover, it's almost liberating. The imagery is second to none. The film never relies on large vistas or impossible camera shots. In doing this, the viewer always feels he is there, not that he is watching, but that he is connected. What is remarkable is that the imagery still moves the audience, often in ways they never expected.
The acting is fantastic. Not every character has an arc, but each delivers a brilliant performance. I'll admit to being worried about Farrell. I think he is very talented, but his spins with the tabloids and poor script choices lately had me worried. No need. Bale has a smaller, but equally critical, role. Very little dialogue, he acts with his warmth and presence. The film itself belongs to Q'Orianka. And she delivers in spades. The heart of the story, the film, and the themes presented, she is always luminous. I was touched by her "transformation" in the second and third acts. More importantly, the cheap and easy theme of "caged bird" is never even hinted at. It's far more transcendant than that, and that surprise is what really hit home with me. Yes, watching her walk in shoes for the first time is hard. It's a great scene, done without a hint of judgement by the camera. Her final scenes in England are among the best I've ever seen.
The battle scene is among the best ever filmed. As before, the camera is never in a place that a person couldn't be. The viewer is in the battle, and emotionally invested on both sides. It's a fairly sober and sad fact that such battles are part and parcel of our national history.
I could just sit here and call out shots or scenes or beats all day long. I want to praise Malick over and over and over for what he has accomplished. I would be thrilled to get a longer cut of this or The Thin Red Line as a gift on HD, Blu-Ray, or standard this year...any way I could.
I know this sounds pretentious, but it's just my excitement talking. Film has quite a few directors who elevate the medium. Malick redefines it, makes the medium something new and pure.
Like The Thin Red Line, the film is an experience, and not something you can watch on the fly. It demands more of the viewer, and gives more back. I look forward to my next viewing, whenever it may be. One of the best of the year, one of the gems of the decade.
Now...the real feeling of awe this film inspires in me is based on the complete lack of "filmmaking" in the storytelling. There is no judgement, no pushing the audience this way and that. Zero manipulation. While that sounds simple, it's not. The New World operates on a level most filmmakers can't dream of. It's hard to explain, but not to exalt. The New World is the best film I have seen in years. It's one of the best films ever.
And so ends my list for the year 2005.
For my next trick, I'd like to denigrate NBC for their abysmal, self-serving, inundated with ads coverage of the Olympics. But I'll save that bile for a little later. Just know that it's coming :)
The New World
My initial reviews: 1/28/06
I loved the film, much more than I even thought I would. It was more intimate and focused than The Thin Red Line, and I was ready for it. I had no idea what to expect in 1998, and that distorted my viewing. This time, I knew what set the director apart. What made him, and his films, special. I was still struck again and again, and the simplicity with which Malick creates beauty. He makes simple shots into something much richer, much more layered. But as much as I want to talk about why Malick is so special, I'd rather talk about how incredible this film is.
None of the artifice or pretense that is a staple of filmmaking seems apparent in the film. The viewer is directly coupled to the story, and is never cheated or manipulated. As a film lover, it's almost liberating. The imagery is second to none. The film never relies on large vistas or impossible camera shots. In doing this, the viewer always feels he is there, not that he is watching, but that he is connected. What is remarkable is that the imagery still moves the audience, often in ways they never expected.
The acting is fantastic. Not every character has an arc, but each delivers a brilliant performance. I'll admit to being worried about Farrell. I think he is very talented, but his spins with the tabloids and poor script choices lately had me worried. No need. Bale has a smaller, but equally critical, role. Very little dialogue, he acts with his warmth and presence. The film itself belongs to Q'Orianka. And she delivers in spades. The heart of the story, the film, and the themes presented, she is always luminous. I was touched by her "transformation" in the second and third acts. More importantly, the cheap and easy theme of "caged bird" is never even hinted at. It's far more transcendant than that, and that surprise is what really hit home with me. Yes, watching her walk in shoes for the first time is hard. It's a great scene, done without a hint of judgement by the camera. Her final scenes in England are among the best I've ever seen.
The battle scene is among the best ever filmed. As before, the camera is never in a place that a person couldn't be. The viewer is in the battle, and emotionally invested on both sides. It's a fairly sober and sad fact that such battles are part and parcel of our national history.
I could just sit here and call out shots or scenes or beats all day long. I want to praise Malick over and over and over for what he has accomplished. I would be thrilled to get a longer cut of this or The Thin Red Line as a gift on HD, Blu-Ray, or standard this year...any way I could.
I know this sounds pretentious, but it's just my excitement talking. Film has quite a few directors who elevate the medium. Malick redefines it, makes the medium something new and pure.
Like The Thin Red Line, the film is an experience, and not something you can watch on the fly. It demands more of the viewer, and gives more back. I look forward to my next viewing, whenever it may be. One of the best of the year, one of the gems of the decade.
Now...the real feeling of awe this film inspires in me is based on the complete lack of "filmmaking" in the storytelling. There is no judgement, no pushing the audience this way and that. Zero manipulation. While that sounds simple, it's not. The New World operates on a level most filmmakers can't dream of. It's hard to explain, but not to exalt. The New World is the best film I have seen in years. It's one of the best films ever.
And so ends my list for the year 2005.
For my next trick, I'd like to denigrate NBC for their abysmal, self-serving, inundated with ads coverage of the Olympics. But I'll save that bile for a little later. Just know that it's coming :)
posted by Chuck | 3:00 PM
3 Comments:
I'm totally in agreement -- New World was also my number one, for all the reasons you stated plus those we already talked about. My number two is Brokeback Mtn, which could only have been surpassed by a film of the quality of New World. Number three would be King Kong, and again, we're in agreement. Beyond that, it gets fuzzy -- Crash, Good Night & Good Luck, Syriana, Constant Gardener and Syriana are all hard to tease apart. Somewhere after that I would place Munich, which I still viewed as a well-intentioned but deeply flawed film. Above all, I just feel incredibly lucky to have experienced such an amazing year in film! -b
Having not seen the film, I thought that this post by Marth Bayles was very interesting. And, by the way, arts journal is one of my favorite sites.
http://www.artsjournal.com/popcorn/
That was an interesting account of the film, and very solid writing.
I think Beth and I saw it more in tune with it's intent (which colored our opinions), but I'd like to add the film features the most romantic moment I've seen in many years (though I don't watch many romances...I do see my share of dramas). I think Malick's narrative is deceptively simple. It's asking the big questions, and Malick knows such complex questions have very, very, VERY simple answers.
Post a Comment
<< Home