Nietzsche (2003 Video) User Reviews

Interesting

[MafferDragonhand · 23 April 2004]

This film opens bluntly. "God is dead" says one character. From there, the two characters who sit alone at a table debate existentialism from Nietzsche, to Kierkegaard, Sartre. The basic structure of their discussions hinge on Nietzsche's idea that man is a lowly creature; then to Kierkegaard saying life has no structure; and back to man, this time in Sartre's opinion.

The setting and score are kept simple; we don't want to be distracted by things other than the conversation. At first it seems there's little story structure; it's essentially two people debating, we don't know why or what it's supposed to accomplish. This lacking could, however, tie in with all that they are discussing in a between-the-lines manner.

There is also a lot of cursing in this film. So no kids! The ending both binds everything together and breaks it apart. Not expected, but cliched. But the dialogue is good. I'm glad to see other people my age not only read but also understand philosophy.

Most will probably dislike this one, but since I'm a philosophy major, I sympathize and give it 7/10. But then, what did Nietzsche say about pity?

Smart and thought-provoking

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 8/10 · 17 March 2008]

If I say "teenagers debating philosophy", you're likely to do a 180 degree turn and double-time it(and for those entirely unfamiliar with math and/or military terminology, that means to turn around and run in the opposite direction... or what you were walking, not... after you... turn... anyway). I must, however, implore that anyone whom this short film crosses the attention of does allow this a second glance. It's a pleasant surprise, and should help prove that good things come out of indie film production. The setup is simplification itself; two co-workers talk about the title existentialist. Few camera angles(not excluding effective use of them, however). The score is soft, classical pieces. Subtlety is defining, here. The real key is in the dialog and the acting. The exploration of ideas in the former, and the solid high quality of the latter(Isaac and Marshall both prove that they can be serious just as well as silly). The ending could hardly have been any better, any more perfect. This is not much more than five minutes, credits included, and it is very much worth your time. Language is quite strong, it starts fairly early and never really ceases again. Some may take offense to the material presented herein... really, the very first line should tell you if you will or not, or the concepts put forth by, again, the person this was titled after. I recommend this to anyone interested in philosophy. 8/10