This film probably will attract the wrong kind of viewer who is expecting to see a violent movie. Gus Van Sant has made a very strange film, in which the events of the Columbine High School massacre will be looked as a model for the movie. But is it? Under the surface Gus Van Sant has infused the film with symbolism that is too subtle for a lot of people to grasp, and who will undoubtedly look at the big picture, one in which almost shows no action, and will get the wrong message.
The film is haunting in that the camera follows the principals of the tragedy from behind. We are basically looking at how these lives crossed one another and how fate brought all these people together for the catastrophic ending. The film is brilliantly choreographed by Mr. Van Sant as we get to see how each person is affected.
Alex, the sick mind behind the killings is seen briefly in class being splashed with a substance on his jacket. He is probably bullied in school because he shows all the characteristics of being an easy mark. The most revealing aspect of Alex comes toward the end of the film in which we get to know a dark secret of his life and perhaps it could make us understand this troubled soul a bit more.
The use of the music, played by Alex, is very effective in creating the mood for what will follow. One wonders how Beethoven's Moonlight sonata and Fur Elise will have any dramatic impact in the young player, who, while executing both works seem to be preparing for the devastating and tragic ending.
The film is short, but as far as this viewer is concerned, it went by very fast. This shows a slice of life in suburbia that some of us never experienced and thanks to Mr. Van Sant we get to understand why, if everything is apparently so perfect, tragedies like this one happen again and again.
The film is haunting in that the camera follows the principals of the tragedy from behind. We are basically looking at how these lives crossed one another and how fate brought all these people together for the catastrophic ending. The film is brilliantly choreographed by Mr. Van Sant as we get to see how each person is affected.
Alex, the sick mind behind the killings is seen briefly in class being splashed with a substance on his jacket. He is probably bullied in school because he shows all the characteristics of being an easy mark. The most revealing aspect of Alex comes toward the end of the film in which we get to know a dark secret of his life and perhaps it could make us understand this troubled soul a bit more.
The use of the music, played by Alex, is very effective in creating the mood for what will follow. One wonders how Beethoven's Moonlight sonata and Fur Elise will have any dramatic impact in the young player, who, while executing both works seem to be preparing for the devastating and tragic ending.
The film is short, but as far as this viewer is concerned, it went by very fast. This shows a slice of life in suburbia that some of us never experienced and thanks to Mr. Van Sant we get to understand why, if everything is apparently so perfect, tragedies like this one happen again and again.