Change Your Image
treston2
Reviews
Last Days (2005)
A Rare Distiction for Van Sant...
For the third time, I had people get up and leave during a Gus Van Sant film. This first occurred in 1991 during a screening of "My Own Private Idaho." Van Sant's ability to produce films that are virtually unwatchable is a rare gift. Approached maybe only by the likes of Eric Rohmer. While others here have been able to watch 20-40 minutes of film in which nothing whatever happens, I've lost the ability to do this since I gave up drugs in 1986. Van Sant, a man of middle age, seems enamored of film portrayals of young men and boys. As Seinfeld would say, "not that there's anything wrong with that." But you still need a story. Maybe one day Van Sant will make a film of merit. But I think first he'll have to want to.
Caché (2005)
Truth Cannot Be Hidden
This is what I think about "Caché". It is certainly possible that the entire episode was imagined by Daniel Auteuil. But there was never any scene which supported this interpretation, as there was in the film "Swimming Pool. " It's also possible that Majid's son did the filming. This is supported by the evidence of the letters showing Majid coughing blood, and the decapitated rooster. Both of those incidents would only have been known by Auteuil, Majid and possibly Majid's son. But that would have made the son ultimately responsible for his father's suicide, since the films and letters brought Auteuil and Majid into confrontation. The son's behavior didn't imply that he felt any such responsibility, and in fact blamed Auteuil entirely for his father's death. Frankly, I don't think it's terribly important to know who made the films or sent the letters because I don't think that is what the movie is about.
I think the film is about justice. There is a notion that the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children. I have always thought that extremely unfair. How could any child be guilty of what their parent had done? But I understand it now to mean that once an injustice is done, a debt is incurred, and the relationship between victim and perpetrator will be out of balance until reparation and/or retribution is made. Someone must make amends.
Occupiers of foreign nations always victimize the resident population. This film deals with France's occupation and treatment of the Algerians. Damage was done, people were victimized, but justice has never been served. In his youth, Auteuil caused irreparable damage to Majid by his selfish insensitivity. (One could perhaps excuse it as a childish act, but he never had any remorse for it even as an adult.) Their relationship is a microcosm of France and Algeria. Majid/Algerians suffer and die because of such cruel insensitivity. Auteuil had a free ride his entire life, becoming successful, insulating himself with books and intellectualism. (I noticed all the shelves of books at home and on his TV stage, walls of books!) But these could not keep out the truth of his/France's guilt. Truth cannot be hidden, nor can one hide from it, not when one tries to forget it, nor when one closes the curtains and pulls the covers over his head. The truth is there.
The watcher/filmer/letter-sender was not one person. The watcher represents the world/ God/conscience/humanity; perhaps one or all of those. What mattered was not who made the films, but that they were made, and that Auteuil was exposed for who and what he was. The last scene where Majid's son apparently talks to Pierrot at his school (which I missed!!) would imply that the search for justice will continue until the truth sees the light of day.
Lone Star State of Mind (2002)
" Texas is a world all of its own"
The above lyrics by Little Feat are never demonstrated more clearly than in film. This picture brings to mind earlier gems like "Blood Simple", "Raising Arizona" and "Love and a .45." All are hilarious and feature a level of stupidity that will make you laugh til you ache.
Kudos all around to the actors. Every single one added merit to this film. You'll just laugh out loud. And, in today's world, that ain't bad.
And a final note about Jaime (James) King. I don't know what it is, but she's incredibly appealing.
Virgil Bliss (2001)
An engrossing blend of themes
This film is so authentic, it plays like a documentary. You need to remind yourself these are actors working from a script. The story called to mind the pathos of "Panic In Needle Park" as well as the obsessive and destructive relationship in "Of Human Bondage." A truly excellent job all around. I hope to see these people again. Mr. Maggio should be duly proud of his work.