2081: Significantly terrifying future

I don’t normally write about short films. If given the choice, most of the time I would rather catch up on the latest TV episodes. But this one is important. It’s not cutesy, or witty. It’s extremely sad and kind of terrifying. Based on the short story, Harrison Bergeron, written by Kurt Vonnegut’s, 2081 is the type of movie that even though it will only take 20 minutes of your time, will impact your entire way of thinking. 

It is insane to me that people would want to be equal to the point of losing all sense of self. I have always strived to be as much as an individual as possible, and believed that achieving greatness was a top priority. But instead, imagine the world presented here. Those who are strong bear heavy weights to slow them down, those who are smart are given earpieces that let out sounds to disrupt their thinking, and those who are beautiful wear masks to hide beneath. 

If you read the comments on the Youtube page you’ll see that this is very controversial. Some think the story is stupid, but I think it’s an important literary allegory.  It is obviously a hyperbole, or exaggeration, but it begs the question, is such a future, one in which we all must be equal to the point of extinction, so far off?

If you don’t want to get into the political and social implications of this piece, then at least consider the beauty of it. The music is perfectly placed and appropriate, as are the camera angles and the additions to the script. The acting is extremely well done, I was especially impressed with the unyieldingness of the Handicapper General and the emotions of Harrisons father who truly had to go through the wringer, but in the end forget why. It is moving. Another thing to point out is the only one with a name is Harrison, another distinction that set him apart from the masses. 

No matter what you believe, I hope you watch this film and think about it. Hard. Consider what you want for your future and pray like hell that the world never looks down on those who are lucky enough to be special, as I think we all are.

TV Interlude: Mad Men

Working for an ad agency makes it essential to watch this show, though I have to say that I don’t get it because at my job I am surrounded by so many women it’s funny. But we are also small scale, so fighting for recognition is a little different. Still, it was demanded of me that I find out what this series is about and, though I am not caught up yet, I have a few thoughts…

First off, the genius of the show lies in the fact that Don Draper is a dog, I mean a truly awful person, but for some reason you root for him. Even when he is trying to hook up with girls that aren’t his wife, like the Jewish store owner in the first season, I’m secretly thinking “come on, just give him a chance.” Weird considering the fact that the reason I dislike most of the other characters is because they are consistent cheaters. 

It is this dislike of the mousey Peggy, and the slimy Pete that makes me want to skip their storyline completely. Is it just me or do they both just constantly whine? It’s the fact that I feel so bad for her and the other wives that I listen to Betty’s woes. They are silly and trivial, but the poor girl can’t help it. I am, however, intrigued by the Barbie-like Joan, who seems to have the whole feminist act down pat. She uses her sexiness the way that many girls do at bars now-a-days, so intentionally and purposefully that the male counterparts don’t realize how manipulative she is. I wonder if guys today have caught on yet. 

The acceptance of cheating and of this lavish lifestyle that the ad men led has me hooked though. I want to see if they will destroy their careers, because, despite it all, they are mildly talented. It is amazing that these lifestyles were the norm in the 1950’s, and that the wives of these men put up with it as much as they did. The tangled dishonest web is hidden by an outer image that is glamorous and wonderful and that is why, I believe, people are hooked. We want to see what will break through. 

I’m only the first season in, so I have yet to make my final decision. 

And, because I bore easily, look out for more TV interludes in the future.

Young Adult: Deep and Depressing Reality

I did not want to see this movie after watching the previews. I did after reading the reviews. Turns out the actual film is somewhere in-between the rants and the raves, in that it is not so much a dark comedy as it is just, well, dark. My friend and I were sorely disappointed that we didn’t laugh at all, just covered our faces in embarrassment for the pathetic sole that is Charlez Theron’s character, Mavin. 

It’s true that this is probably pretty true to life. Very realistic in the fact that some people move away from small towns and are miserable, and others stay and are happy. It’s also true that most of the time, in life, we don’t learn the lessons. We do stupid things, and we continue to do stupid things just because.

The costuming was brilliantly juvinille. I loved that she sported oversized glasses, ratty bun hair and a hello kitty t-shirt with plad pj bottoms most of the time. Very teenage-ish.

The big mistake that was  her age. 37? Really? No one would be that out of control at 37, I’m sorry you just blew it. I think if they had taken ten years off the character I would have been more likely to say “ya, totally.” 

I’m torn about the relationship between Mavin and the loser from high school who bonds with her over their completely selfish and pathetic lifes. It was fine, platonic but cute because they were kindred spirits, until (spoiler alert) they slept together. This ruined the one story line that I actually liked, leaving me feeling hopeless and pissed.

But I guess that was the point of the movie. Life is messy, and most of the time you do something stupid that ruins the good in it. 

Still, I would rather see a happy ending which is why this one fell flat. 

Roman Holiday: That's Amore

I decided to start this off with a classic. Oscar season is around the corner, and we will get to the nominees shortly, but I wanted my first post to be one of my favorites. A movie that reminds me why I love film, and the way films should strive to be. Not over done, but natural and, well, beautiful.

I could easily sit here and write about how wonderful Roman Holiday is, and demand that you all run out and buy a copy and watch it over and over again, but old movies aren’t everyone’s thing and I am not trying to preach. All I ask is that you give the oldies a chance. So, instead I looked at the little pieces that made this film so spectacular, and I think I have narrowed it down to two.

First, There is just something better about love in an Audrey Hepburn movie. It is addicting to watch. Unlike today I know that it is not leading to the bedroom but instead to something that seems deeply more personal and more believable. In a society where we are bombarded by sexuality there is something refreshing about seeing two people look deeply into each other’s eyes, and hug. The first kiss in Roman Holiday is quick, like many of Audrey’s other films. It is impulsive and sudden, something that just happens. It is amazing how much more natural it is, and reminds of the way things should be. No one grabs anybody’s ass or tries to move in closer asking for more. It is plain and simple, and perfect.

The other thing this movie does well above many others is speaking with little words. The facial expressions and the eyes of the actors are impeccable. They tell much more about the story, the changes of heart and the love, than any long drawn out speech could. That long walk out of the press room alone reminds me vaguely of the walk that Humphrey Bogart makes at the end of Casablanca. Sad and sweet, but perfection in its simplicity.

Noteworthy:

I’m kind of in love with Eddie Albert as Irving. He added some great slapstick humor, tripping and falling all over the place.