Two nights ago I finished watching all of the movies on both of the American Film Institute's top 100 lists -- the one that was released in 1998 and the one that was released in 2007. This either makes me an expert, or a huge nerd with a lot of free time on her hands. I'd prefer to believe the former, but will also buy into the latter.
Anyway, I thought I'd celebrate the occasion by telling you about a handful of the truly awesome movies on the list. I'm not going to mention CASABLANCA, THE GODFATHER or THE WIZARD OF OZ. They've been analyzed to death. My purpose in writing this entry is to reflect on the five films that I've probably learned the most from -- movies that have inspired me and influenced the way I look at screen storytelling. It's also sort of a plea. If you haven't seen these movies, I think you should -- whoever you are. Though I can't imagine somebody having missed THE SOUND OF MUSIC. ;)
And we're off...
AMADEUS (1984)
In stories, every behavior or action leads to a certain consequence. That consequence is the story's theme. Vices lead to punishment, while virtues lead to reward. The theme of AMADEUS might be worded something like this - if you choose to destroy somebody else (vice), you will most certainly destroy yourself (punishment). The reason AMADEUS succeeds as a film is that its main character Antonio Salieri craves the downfall somebody else out of spite and jealousy. I think a lot of us harbor a secret desire that those who are more talented than we are, or more successful than we are, would just fail... or have their powers shut off. Feeling inadequate next to someone else is a tough situation to be in. AMADEUS teaches us that rather than lashing out at those who have more than we do, rather than seeking destruction, we should learn to respect our own attributes for what they are. If we constantly compare ourselves to others, we will almost always fall short. To love and get the most out of life, one should appreciate him/herself.
Stories that show us human vices and their subsequent punishments are essential for the world. How do we learn to take the higher, more noble road if we don't see the horrific and painful consequences that come with taking the lower, more corrupt one?? Sometimes in order to prove a particular idea, you first have to prove its opposite.
For example, if you fart in public, people will think you smell bad, so they'll stay away from you and, as a result, you'll have no friends; whereas, if you have good manners and go somewhere else to fart (like outside or to a bathroom), people won't have reason to dislike you and you'll have more friends. Now, which of these scenarios would you rather see a movie about? Somebody who farts in public or somebody who has the decency to go to the bathroom?
Yeah, I thought so. We love to learn from the vices of our movie characters... and while it's not about farting, AMADEUS definitely explores some pretty pathetic human flaws.
CABARET (1972)
For a movie musical to be believable, the harshest critics say that the song and dance numbers should be confined to a stage and/or to subconscious fantasies. They say it's not believable for people to just burst out into song in the middle of the street... and they're right. The reason CABARET is an amazing film is that it creates two separate story planes. One is reality -- Germany on the brink of Nazism and perhaps the biggest crime against humanity the world has ever witnessed; the other is a cabaret -- a subconscious night club stage... where the musical numbers occur.
CABARET taught me what a good musical is. In good musicals, the songs serve the traditional function of a Greek chorus -- commentating on the action that is occurring during the play. The songs drive the story's point home. In CABARET, the entire parallel musical universe exists to provide an ironic dictum on hatred and Nazism. They sing silly songs and do funny dances and preach that "life is beautiful..."
The greatest storytelling lesson that the film provides is this: when you make a statement like "life is beautiful," but with images on the screen show that life is volatile and inhumane, you're forcing your audience to examine things a little closer. You're forcing them dig deeper instead of accepting something at face value. Is life really beautiful? It might seem that way in the cabaret, but in reality... horrible things are happening.
A lot of great art awakens us to this fact -- it might seem all fun and games, but look closer.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
People remember it as the only X-rated flick to win Best Picture. That's not what I remember. When I first saw this movie, I didn't see the grubby New York streets. I didn't see the male prostitution. I didn't see the dirt or grime. I SAW two lonely, tragic people in need of companionship. I watched them find companionship with each other... and I saw them both, despite the bleakness of their circumstances, become transformed and ultimately saved by their friendship. What more can you ask for in a movie, really? To me, a worthwhile story makes that statement that we as people save each other.
When you take the time to be my friend, you save me.
ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
I mentioned this movie a few entries ago when I talked about unlikely heroes. I'll re-state the point I made then. Despite everything, despite who you think you are, despite all the bad things you've done, despite that it might cause you some physical pain, if you get up and do the right thing, you will redeem yourself... and maybe even save a few other people too.
That's it.
Getting up and doing the right thing is important and can change the world... and the extent to which your supporting cast chants this into your reluctant hero's ear is the extent to which your film will succeed.
Also, acting in films needn't be showy. The method works. If the actors on screen are feeling it ("it" being real emotions), we probably will too. Seriously, watch the clip below.
Simple. Clean cut. Amazing. Classics never die.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)
Forget the optimism, forget the catchy songs, forget the irresistibility of Julie Andrews, forget how you used to watch it over and over again as a kid. Sometimes we just need to get back to the notion of "learning to hear the music again..." And that's what this blissful, wonderful film is all about. We get caught-up in our own negativity and sadness and we forget to really squeeze the nectar out of life... We have to be re-awakened to the splendors again. Still need some convincing? Go back and re-watch the scene where after accusing Maria of corrupting them, Captain Von Trapp realizes that his kids can sing... I dare you not to tear up.
I can't tell you how much the song "Edelweiss" has transformed the way that I view storytelling. Flowers die, but then they're born again. It's all a process of growth and renewal. I think every story should have its "Edelweiss" moment -- where the cycle of life is acknowledged, where we realize our place as small pieces in the decidedly bigger game that is the universe.
Before there was "Circle of Life", there was "Edelweiss"...
Anywho, here were some of my honorable mentions in thinking about what movies to discuss:
Pulp Fiction, The Apartment, Rocky, City Lights, A Streetcar Named Desire, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Raging Bull, The Grapes of Wrath, Chinatown, Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard, It's a Wonderful Life, Singin' in the Rain, The Graduate, Toy Story, Do the Right Thing, 12 Angry Men, Titanic, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?...
And, of course, the aforementioned Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz and The Godfather.
Check it out for now: http://www.afi.com/100years/
And ciao.
No comments:
Post a Comment