Quin GootThe Old Man Who Read Love Stories (2001)
December 17th 2008 09:49
Directed by:- Rolf De Heer.
Staring:- Richard Dreyfuss, Timothy Spall, Hugo Weaving.
In reviewing this film, I spent a sunny afternoon on the couch after spending a long day indoors at work. With the sun spraying in through the windows, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious. The woes of the modern man. However, after several minutes of Mr. de Heer's cinematography, it was clear that I was already feeling better. Soon to follow was the soothing and deep voice of the narrator, which by now had quelled any anxiety I had. I was now ready to hunker down comfortably for whatever was install.
Next came words from a romantic novel, the same words that are used to end the story. "It was a kiss of impassioned intensity, a kiss to remember their lives by".
The story then takes us into a local village, introducing the major characters. Antonio, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is a veteran of the jungle who is now an old man that has spent the better part of his life living there. The foolish town Mayor, brilliantly played by Timothy Spall, now enters the scene, as does the local dentist Hugo Weaving. A dead body arrives to shore displaying the mark of a jaguar claw. After several more bodies arrive in a similar fashion, it is decided that the culprit must be disbanded. The hunt is now on.
The Amazon, killer jaguar's, and romance novels. In typical de Heer style, my senses now become challenged, taking me into an aesthetically heightened world.
Throughout the chase, and inbetween watching Hugo wrench teeth out from some very unfortunate skulls, we are taken back into Antonio's past. The flashbacks into Antonio's life give us an insight into who he is, what decisions he must make and why. At this point, possibly mirroring the thoughts of the audience, one of the hunter's asks "why do you read romance novels?" At which Antonio replies, "Because the thoughts are beautiful, the words are beautiful, and because sometimes it makes me forget the barbarity of man".
Yes, the foolish brutality of man is displayed well by Timothy Spall's character Luis, as he is continually thwarted by the wiles of the jaguar. In contrast, it is through the hunt that Antonio (also effectionately know as 'old man') reveals his nobility, his appreciation for life, and his self worth. And it is the words of love stories that act as a tonic for Antonio's dealings with old age and the foolishness that surrounds him.
An aesthetically charged adventure about life, de Heers' film is an awakening journey that uses a variety of techniques to get its message across. Although containing solid performances, the film is worth seeing for the cinematography alone.
Especially good if you haven' t been outdoors for a while.
Four bananas out of five.
Staring:- Richard Dreyfuss, Timothy Spall, Hugo Weaving.
In reviewing this film, I spent a sunny afternoon on the couch after spending a long day indoors at work. With the sun spraying in through the windows, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious. The woes of the modern man. However, after several minutes of Mr. de Heer's cinematography, it was clear that I was already feeling better. Soon to follow was the soothing and deep voice of the narrator, which by now had quelled any anxiety I had. I was now ready to hunker down comfortably for whatever was install.
The story then takes us into a local village, introducing the major characters. Antonio, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is a veteran of the jungle who is now an old man that has spent the better part of his life living there. The foolish town Mayor, brilliantly played by Timothy Spall, now enters the scene, as does the local dentist Hugo Weaving. A dead body arrives to shore displaying the mark of a jaguar claw. After several more bodies arrive in a similar fashion, it is decided that the culprit must be disbanded. The hunt is now on.
The Amazon, killer jaguar's, and romance novels. In typical de Heer style, my senses now become challenged, taking me into an aesthetically heightened world.
Throughout the chase, and inbetween watching Hugo wrench teeth out from some very unfortunate skulls, we are taken back into Antonio's past. The flashbacks into Antonio's life give us an insight into who he is, what decisions he must make and why. At this point, possibly mirroring the thoughts of the audience, one of the hunter's asks "why do you read romance novels?" At which Antonio replies, "Because the thoughts are beautiful, the words are beautiful, and because sometimes it makes me forget the barbarity of man".
Yes, the foolish brutality of man is displayed well by Timothy Spall's character Luis, as he is continually thwarted by the wiles of the jaguar. In contrast, it is through the hunt that Antonio (also effectionately know as 'old man') reveals his nobility, his appreciation for life, and his self worth. And it is the words of love stories that act as a tonic for Antonio's dealings with old age and the foolishness that surrounds him.
An aesthetically charged adventure about life, de Heers' film is an awakening journey that uses a variety of techniques to get its message across. Although containing solid performances, the film is worth seeing for the cinematography alone.
Especially good if you haven' t been outdoors for a while.
Four bananas out of five.
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