This movie was from a very long time on my list movies, which I have to watch. I didn’t knew much about it – some basic facts about director, topic. I wasn’t prepared to see one of the most the devastating, cruel and shocking film I ever saw.
Director, Elem Klimov, tells the story of a boy fourteen years old, Florja, who against the wishes of the mother decides to join the partisans and fought against the Germans. The boy goes to camp, where the first few days are not the easiest - it is hard to locate in the brutal world of adult men, which is treated as a drudge. Its existence in the camp interrupted by the unexpected bombing carried out by the Germans. Fourteen Florja decides to return to his native village. But here it turns out that it was completely destroyed. The boy decides to run away. But everywhere we will succeed him will be waiting for further images showing fascist cruelty that goes on forever change his mind. And I think that precisely these changes the most focused director. He did it so vividly that when the last scene we see the main character - we do not believe that this is the same boy. His face seems to be wrinkled, emaciated, his eyes unseeing, and all forms simply electrifying impression reflecting how strong mark can squeeze the war.
A war in this film is shown in a way shocking. There are no images bombing, spectacular acts of war, troops march. These are the images of children placed in buildings that will be burned immediately, girls are beaten and brutally raped, old men, of whom the soldiers laugh. And it is Florja, watching the German officer who, without any emotion allows adults to get out of the trap, but only without children ... The boy once again sees the same officer, when he begs for mercy, because the war has its laws, because he had orders, because he has grandchildren ...
I think at this point Florja was filled with hatred and desire for revenge. Not much different from the German soldiers burning the village. "Violence breeds violence." Question what's next? His eyes look empty, devoid of feeling, of hope. Goes with the other into the forest, but what will meet him there - that nobody knows.
War is evil, the cruelty, the barbarity, and carrying a very pacifist message Klimov movie is the best example..
Talie's Reviews
Displaying Review 1 - 5 of 6 in total
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Se7en David Fincher is one of the most engrossing thrillers of recent years. This story of two detectives who aim to solve the most important case in their lives, attracts our attention until the end of subtitles.
The main characters are William Somerset and David Mills. Sommerset is a bitter man who long ago lost faith in this world, he does not see anything that could therefore give a cause of joy and hope. He has only few days left to retire. Mills is a detective who has just moved to a new city. Full of enthusiasm, zeal, and could hardly tolerate the peace and abandon his partner. Sommerset lives alone and is not looking for company, Mills is happily married . This so bad couple suddenly starts to working together , just thinking about one goal - to catch a murderer killing by the seven deadly sins.
Fatty, greedy lawyer, vain fashion model - for the society innocent victims, for killer people not worthy of attention, but only contempt. The murder has a mission which he will lead to the end, pulling the police in the game, whose rules he lays down.
Fincher in a great way reflects the atmosphere of the film, which is a kind of analysis of the human soul. It is dipping with each step into the abyss of evil. There is no place for the beautiful feelings, lofty words. This impression is compounded by continuously falling rain, anonymous city, where nobody knows anybody, dark pictures. And though the sun finally appears, it does not give the desired heat. Its rays burn the soul, turning it into desert and leaving the characters with the emptiness and pain.For me, this movie is perfect. Superb acting, great script, amazing story. All this made the famous scheme was presented in an original and highly addictive.
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Los Angeles. City of Angels. In the film, Curtis Hanson, it has little in common with the heavenly creatures, is more like a vestibule of hell. Prostitutes, corrupt politicians, vendibly cops, gangsters ready for anything. Here are the people who lived in a place that seems to be a paradise on earth.
And it all begins on Christmas Day 1952. Then a roads of three policemen and one luxury prostitutes are crossing. Buzz White, a brutal defender of beaten women, meets the woman of his life - Lynn Bracken. Jack Vincennes, a cop working with the editor of tabloid, discovers a mysterious business card with a lily. Ed Exley, the ambitious and bureaucratic, receives a lifetime opportunity, which he uses. That day comes to beating by police a few Mexicans. Exley, who is the witness of this incident, doesn’t hesitate to report on colleagues. Even proposes a way to punish them. In this way, gaining desired promotion to detective, he also becoming the object of hatred from his colleagues. Those who hated him the most is White, because of Exley's confession, his partner was discharged from the service.
Few days later the cop is murdered. Seemingly simple matter begins to discover his second bottom, leading police to the world, about which they had no idea.Curtis Hanson's film is a superbly executed thriller, one of its strongest points is cast. It's the characters give this film an extraordinary atmosphere and realism. Bud White is a brutal, whose main task is to "work on the suspects." Extremely sensitive to domestic violence do not hesitate to kill a defenseless man for raping a young girl . However, betrayed and hurt, he will hit his beloved woman.
Jack Vincennes, a cop living in light of Hollywood. Advisor in the popular series, is working with the tabloids, it seems that for the money and fame is ready for anything. But even he has limits not to exceed. Rejects the money in an attempt to save a young boy, but for the aid will be too late, and he will die trying to do right thing.
But my favorite character in this film is Lynn Bracken, masterfully played by Kim Basinger. One of the many patterns that appear in films - a young girl arrives in Los Angeles to be a famous actress, who ends up as a prostitute.And the thought that thanks to her guardian she may "play" doesn't bring relief. She knows that she is young, that she earns with her body. She has only one dream - return one day to the home town and there open a clothing store. She does not know why she chosen Bud, perhaps because he saw in her Lynn, not Veronica. And though she will hurt him, and he will beat her, she will remain at his side. With new girl's hairstyle and dress go out to Arizona, remembering who she was here. I think it will always remain in her bitter thought of "ex-hooker."
These are characters, not only mentioned by me are true, because they are shown in that way. Can not be clearly defined - good or bad. White of brute changes in a sensitive lover when he is with Lynn, Vincennes rejects money by choosing the right. Their complex characters lend the film features an unusual climate and probability.
An additional advantage of the movie is ideally placed climate of the 50s The director took care of every detail, making the viewer can feel as though he walked the streets with the characters of the film.This film is excellently executed thriller that might duplicate the familiar patterns, but it does so in a masterly way. An interesting and captivating story, unconventional characters, well-chosen music. It is a film to which I return often to see the smile on Jack's face shortly before his death, when he knows that his death will be the key to solving the mystery.To be with Bud in the pouring rain, and with him feel the pain, seeing the pictures Lynn with another man. To accompanied Ed when he get rid of illusions about the rule of law in the police.
It is simply one of my beloved movies ... -
There are films that remain a mystery for the viewer. Makes it a weird scenario, confusing storyline, poorly chosen cast. But there are also those, which from the very beginning play with the viewer. And precisely such a film are The Usual Suspects, one of my most beloved movies.
And all begin with the murder. We don't see face of a killer, only his victim. After the killing, murder makes a fire. We see the flames, and the camera begins to zoom to do the rope reel, staying on it. A few minutes later, we find out that someone survived. And the cripple of New York, Verbal Kint, begins his story. The explosion in the port, the death of 27 people, drugs and money. Kint and four other suspects. The story told by him is logical and credible. But it turns out that nothing in it is what it seems.
And the whole time director plays with a viewer. From the approximation of the line gives us the information and signs. The genius lies in the fact that we are not aware of that until the very end. We take this game because of the belief in the story. Some kind of agreement between the viewer and the director makes us believe in what we see on the screen. We let ourselves be carried away by the story, not trying to discover it yourself. We believe to Kint because he had witnessed the incident, perhaps watching it hidden behind ropes.
And why did we get carried away? This question is difficult to tell. Perhaps because it tells by the cripple. Agent Cujan simply says - "I'm smarter than you." Cujan makes it clear that he is the master of the situation. Kint may refuse to testify, may resist, but Cujan will force him to testify and to say everything he knows. So it will be better, when Kint will start to talk. And Verbal starts to talk. Creates his story, discovering new elements, combining everything in one unit. Kint creates the illusion and makes Cujan is convinced that he gets what he wants.
Singer leads the game in this film a good way. He does it so skillfully that the viewer, although he has before his eyes of all the necessary elements are not able to deposit them into one whole. Only when the film reveals the whole story, he realizes how skillfully been cheated.
Some time ago I read, that this film should be watched only once, because when you get to know the story, it is not longer interesting. I believe that nothing is further from the truth. In my opinion, this film should be seen several times to fully explore how masterfully is constructed this story .
Two simple examples. When Kint sits in an interrogation room, he begins to look around. And we're with him. We see a cigarette box, pictures on the walls, neutral face of criminal. And we do not realize that precisely from these, seemingly, meaningless items, this man is building its history. What seems to be a curious look around the room, it really is a creation of history. Choosing what will fit best to create a credible whole. After learning everything we realize that the answer was always within reach, but we just couldn't see it.
Second example. There's a moment in the movie, when agent Cujan tells to Kint truth about Keaton. Cujan is standing behind Verbal, so he don't see that Verbal is smiling. When I saw this scene for the first time, I thought - what an idiot. He has lots of trouble but he's smiling... But for the second time I understood that at this moment for a while Kint revealed his true face. When he heard that it was Keaton who was behind all this, and Verbal protect him, because he is stupid, Kint just can't stop smiling. He knew the truth and he knew how much Cujan was wrong. However, he was so calm, that the smile disappears when the agent looks at him again.
Such gems are in this movie a lot. They flee from us because we listen to the story, not paying attention to seemingly unimportant details. Anyway, the director did not help our task and he leaves the story incomplete. Who is Kobayashi? Fictitious name, an alleged lawyer, a trusted man. He knows all the facts, we don't know about him anything.
This movie is brilliant. Makes it an excellent scenario, interestingly plotted storyline (although initially apply retrospection can be a bit confusing), but above all well-played characters. Particularly Kevin Spacey as Verbal Kint. Attracts the attention of the viewer in almost every scene. His character is dull, not conspicuous, treated with disdain. But there is something in him which intrigues and makes the viewer believes him. And this cripple eventually wins, reaching the goal.
This is one of the few films that from start to finish attracts our attention. And though today may seem not very visionary, (I know people who say that they knew about everything from the beginning) I let myself be carry away by this movie. And it will never change. -
Text contains spoilers
I'm Ana. These words that are key to the history hidden deep in the imagination of a little girl. Imagination, so rich that can revive even the dead movie character.
The history, told by Victor Erice is very simple. Two sisters, one day in the cinema, that came to their town, are watching Frankenstein (1931). One of them, Ana, is fascinated by the movie monster. So she asks her sister, why this monster killed and why people killed him. In response she hears that this creature is the spirit, which can be induced by anyone. You just say your name. Soon after, Ana disappears, and found not want to say where she was.
This is whole story. But this simple story creates an unusual image. The film actually consists of several separate history, separate dramas. Ana belongs to the family, which only appears to be a strong, one relationship. In fact its members are living apart. Mother of girls, Teresa, writes letters to her old love and finds her beloved's face in passing trains. Father, Fernando gives the impression that, apart from bees, anything else doesn't interesting him . Isabel, the elder sister, Ana, is the main character's playmate and friend, but she doesn't hesitate to joke with her in a cruel way.And that's the joke will be one of the reasons why Ana decides to run away from home. The girl slowly begins to realize that the world around her is built on cruelty. Isabel pretending dead, will be the beginning of exploring the other side of life, which is hidden in darkness and shadow.
On one of her walks around neighborhood Ana know the homeless man. We don't know nothing about him except that he jumped off the train and and he is injured. However, what fascinate girl the most is fact, that his pocket watch plays the same melody, which her mother often plays the piano. The girl realizes that the man has a relationship with her mother's past. She doesn't know which - it is not aware of the secrets and mysteries of the adults, but feel that maybe he is the author of the signature on the photo in Teresa'a album. On photography where the woman is smiling and is happy in a way that Ana reraly seen. With fright a few days later girl see the same watch in the hands of her father. Also, her mother freezes when she hears the well-known melody. What happened? Why does my father have this watch? The girl runs to man hide, but she finds nothing but blood. She doesn't know that his body lies dead in the hall, where recently she was enchanted by the history of movie monster. When she meets in the hideout Fernando Ana realizes that he had a relationship with the disappearance of her friend. And began to run. Spends the night in the woods, where reality gives way to imagination ... Morning found by her father coming home, but she is silent about where she was and what happened to her. It is no longer Ana, who belives in the world created by adults. This is a person who has the power to create their own world.
Is Fernando told the police to kill a mysterious homeless man? Probably yes, provide the simple facts. When we asked why, we have to answer for themselves. I think that he wanted to banish ghosts of the past and to unite the family. With photos from an album watched by Ana we can see that once he and his wife were happy. And he chose a cruel way? Yes, but the world is cruel, is one of the truths that we learn very quickly. Excellent example of cruelty gives us Isabel. For no reason and just for fun she strangling a cat and pretending to be dead to haunted Ana. I think Isabel is such a small adult. Director by this figure shows us what we, adults, really are.
What next? We do not know, we can only guess. Teresa burn last letter to her beloved,and get wrapped a husband in a warm blanket. She won't forget about the past, but will start live the present and wait what the future will bring. And Ana? She will call every night her friend, because she knows, that she has a great power.This film does not have the amazing photos, memorable dialogues, more - the silence and music. However, the director builds the story in a subtle and delicate way, allowing the viewer created certain parts by himself - like Ana creates her world. It is these elements make the film is remarkable. And if we add to this the beautiful eyes of Ana Torent we'll get one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen.
If you're his friend, you can talk to him whenever you want.
Close your eyes and call him.
I'm Ana...
