Faith in Film : It's a Wonderful Life

I was trying to think of something to write for the Faith in Film Blog-a-Thon. I couldn't think of anything but I found this instead.

Inspired Wild

I suppose we all have those crazy notions when we're young, we're going out to conquer the world, we're going to do what we wanna do. But then reality sinks in, and we remember responsibilities, money, family, career, those excuses that hold us back. What an inspiration Christopher McCandless was, he had what so many of us would take for granted: the courage of not looking back and by doing that he was able to accomplish something very few probably could admit to.

As I was watching Sean Penn's beautiful film "Into the Wild" which recounts McCandless' two year journey through America I couldn't help but feel inspired by what he did and almost a bit envious.

When we first meet Christopher (Emile Hirsch) he has just graduated from college, his parents (William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden) are expecting him to further his education with Harvard Law, but without any warning Chris sets out with plans of his own. He gives his life savings away to charity, abandons his car and hitches a ride into the heart of America. Chris isn't a special cause, he seems to be coming from a well-bread family, he's well looked after, but after being inspired by the writings of Thoreau, Jack London, and Tolstoy, he acts on his youthful instincts and leaves all of societies trappings behind.

Through his travels he meets up and inspires some very interesting characters. They include a couple of travelling hippies (Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker), a wheat cutter (Vince Vaughn) who hires Chris on for awhile, and a wizened old man (Hal Holbrook). Each of these people that Chris encounters are inspired by his philosophy and his enthusiasm, he is indeed a special kid. But Chris also comes off as one who thinks he knows all the answers and even though these people admire him, they know he's headed for trouble. More than once Chris is asked if his parents know where he is, and Penn doesn't shy away from the hurt his leaving caused. The parents are shown at home searching helplessly, grieving for their lost son, and feeling guilty about his departure.

The parents aren't all to blame, they are shown as people who have made mistakes but did have a deep love for Chris. One couldn't help but feel Chris' trek was part of him trying to come to terms with his anger against them.

The film itself is a love letter to Chris' intentions though, it his his story, and despite the hurt his leaving caused he left an indelible mark with what he accomplished. Sean Penn has crafted a very beautiful and poetic account of his journey through America, he captures as close as possible for us what Chris would've experienced. Penn's passion is felt throughout the film and sometimes his love for the subject becomes too much as I wish he had an editor. The film runs about 2 and a half hours which makes for a few slow spots and one too many repetitive Eddie Vedder tunes.

However I would say the final third of the film is the most powerful with some of the most brilliant scenes I've seen all year. The best comes when Hal Holbrook arrives, where the young adventurer comes in contact with the old man who has seen it all. It was fascinating to see the two men from different generations discuss their take on life, and the spiritual speech done by Holbrook brings the film to full circle.

The Alaskan scenes are also powerful as Hirsch bravely reenacts for us Chris' final days and the result is a tour de force.

Despite what one may think about Chris' motives, it's hard not to be inspired by his courage. Here was someone who didn't look back, and perhaps learned he didn't have all the answers, it was a harsh lesson payed for with the ultimate price, still there was that special quality in Chris that makes him unique and something I envy.

3.5 stars out of 4

A Hangman's Tale

"Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman" is by no means the kind of film one might find enjoyable. The idea of what happens to a professional hang man after he spends his career executing over 600 people does not seem like ideal entertainment. But what makes the film watchable is how we get to know this man and ultimately the tragedy in him as the job he tries so hard to perfect, turns him into a broken man.

Albert Pierrepoint was Britain's last hangman. He is played by Timothy Spall one of those actors who's face you probably recognize but who's name might allude you. In the beginning of the film Pierrepoint is introduced to us as a bit of keener when it comes to executions. He knows the length of the rope to use on each victim so the deed is done quickly, efficiently and humanely. While his colleagues can't bear to actually pull the lever, Pierrepoint seems to have a gift of going about it objectively with practically no feeling for the victim whatsoever. It's only after the execution that he deals with the dead in a humane way. As he cleans the dead bodies and cares for them, he feels now that they are dead, they have payed for their sins and therefore should be dealt with the utmost respect.

This idea goes deeper when Pierrepoint is later assigned by the government to participate in the execution of German war criminals after the second world war. Pierrepoint must kill 47 of the German's in a week, which averages out to about 13 a day. He gets upset when 12 coffins are counted for the daily dead which leaves one without. For me this was the moment when we see the cracks in Pierrepoint's system begin to crack. As the film goes on and on and Pierrepoint is executing one person after another it becomes impossible to deny his own humanity.

The story of Albert Pierrepoint came to me the same way Edith Piaf did in "La Vie En Rose". Here was a person I knew nothing about going into the film, but as I left I felt I had an understanding of what kind of a man he was.

I believe the film is making a definite case against the death penalty. There is a cold harshness of Pierrepoint's execution. No questions are asked as to the people's innocence, and after doing some research, I did find that he did indeed execute at least one person who was later pardoned posthumously for his crimes. The line between right and wrong becomes unclear, and that's exactly how Pierrepoint is meant to feel by the end of the film.

The film's message towards the death penalty reminded me of another recent film, "Rendition" in the way that film dealt with torture. Both films ask if their primary actions were necessary and if any positive result was gained.

The death penalty has since been abolished in Britain and we see the last one performed by Pierrepoint. But even before the last one, we see a man broken by his own conscience and humanity. "Pierrpoint" is an interesting take on an important issue, told through the eyes of someone who performed it first hand. The performances are excellent, particularly Spall who shows the cracks of this precise man spill out ever so slightly. It's now available on DVD so I would try to seek out this little treasure.

3.5 stars out of 4

Late Spring appreciation

In celebration of my month of Ozu, here's a montage of scenes from one of his many masterworks "Late Spring". Watch and enjoy

November Spotlight: Yasujiro Ozu

As promised I am dedicating each month to a different director. Each week I'll write about their work or their technique and so forth. To start off the series I've chosen Japanese film maker Yasujiro Ozu. Ozu is a personal favorite of mine and I've mostly chosen him because I'm immersed in his films at the moment. I hope you join me this month in celebrating Ozu and if you have any insights on him feel free to add comments or email me.

Musical Harmony: "Once" Revisited

I just wanted to be clear as I'm not sure if I was in my review of this extraordinary film. "Once" is a masterpiece, it is a great film, I am quite certain another film won't come along this year that is better than this one. It filled me with so much emotion and has ruined my Halloween. Instead of wanting to watch a scary movie I just want to watch this again and again. This is a special movie for me, I think it is destined to become a classic in years to come.

Do you know what I did today, I was at work humming songs from "Once" in my head. Sometimes the songs made me think of scenes from the movie, sometimes the songs made me think of my own life. I listened to the soundtrack again and again. Is it the songs in this movie that make it so special? Partly, it's the whole love story between the guy and the girl, it's something we should all be so luck to have. Do yourself a favor and see "Once" as soon as you can. Do what I do and mark December 18th down on your calender cause that's when it comes out on DVD. Once is not enough to see "Once" if I could be so punny.

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen period.

The Devil's Plaything

There was no love for Norman Bates but the other three got votes. In the end it was not much of a surprise as "The Exorcist" was chosen as the main scary movie of choice in my latest poll. Happy Halloween everybody!!!