It's All About Love
Watched a DVD by that name last night, starring Claire Danes and Joachim Pheonix. Sean Penn was also in it, along with a bunch of actors that you see all the time in character roles but never know the names of.It was an interesting, although perplexing, film.
It left me thinking at the end, although I think part of that was because I completely missed what was going on in some places. Either I was having a Heather day (likely), or it really wasn't clear.
Sean Penn played Pheonix's older brother, and I think they were all Polish. Thing is, Penn spent most of his time sending messages to Pheonix's answering machine (in the presumption he'd get them--he didn't) while flying around on an aircraft that couldn't land because of freezing conditions.
Claire Danes played a Polish ice skating star, that Pheonix's character needed to meet to serve divorce papers to. You get the impression it's a bit weird to start with, just an inkling... but then you realise that nothing is as it seems because people are stepping over a dead body at the bottom of an escalator without thinking twice about it. The comment is made "don't worry about that, it happens all the time".
And this is where it gets weird. A perfect example, I think, of trying to fit too many themes into one film so it gets way too... er... confusing on a first watch. See, there is apparently an impending Ice Age, but you don't really "get" that until half way through the film. As the planet is getting stuffed up, going to winter, turning to ice, there is also, at the same time, people's hearts failing, in what seems to be a metaphor for the emotional Ice Age this world is suffering at the moment. IE, no love = no healthy heart, and you can drop dead at the drop of a hat. And no-one gives a flying treacle if you do.
Actually, it's the title of the film that explains that, more than anything within the movie. Which is a sign of rather poor filmmaking, imo.
But that's not the main story. And, in fact, has nothing, really, to do with the main story (just as Sean Penn's character has nothing to do with it!), except to serve as a foil at the end for why the pair of lovers (for, yes, predictably, they still love each other very much and never wanted to divorce) go through everything they have to go through.... only to fail, just as Penn is saying into his headset, "I know you'll make it" as his plane keeps flying through the fozen, snowy night with nowhere to land. Nice image, but pointless bloody film. For, you see, it seems Pheonix delayed his return too long and Dane's heart fails just as they seem to be able to escape... except, as far as I can tell, they weren't going to escape anyway.
And don't worry, I'm not spoiling the film for you by giving away the ending, for it is rather obvious from the start. It would have been nice to take something away from the film other than, "Oooooooooooookay?" because, as readers of this blog would know, I actually rather liked the metaphorical concept (no love = death). But it was poorly set out, even if rather well acted. And there was enough going on (although, as I've said already, probably too much) for me to continue watching just to see what happened.
Then the ending makes you just go, "Oh. Was that all?" and you're left with the concept that perhaps the writer or director saw the whole love thing as a pointless struggle that didn't, and couldn't, save anyone anyway.
On another subject, the Saints lost against the Kangas by 7 points. After being 17 ahead with 5 minutes to go. Sigh. :-(
Didn't see the game so can't really comment but from what I'm told our half forwards are reluctant to shoot at goal. Gentlemen, Nicky Roo is injured, Fraser is below par and Aaron Hamill can't do everything. Give it a go, boys. I know you can.
On a brighter note, though, the Swannies took out the Lions. HA! :-D
posted by Heather @ 2:47 pm
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