A Film That Inspires

Rating: 10/10 (27 September 2004)

if this film does not at least make one ask one question, there is something wrong. i love films that involve the audience and that is what terry gilliam has done. he took a short film and turned it into his own masterpiece. he also gave a grim look at Philadelphia (in the 1996 philly). it depicted a city, not the way is appears, but the way it feels. this is, to me, the first 'serious' drama by gilliam. it does include humor, but it is darker and poking fun at ourselves, while making commentary. the asylum is hysterical, but with a twinge of reality that can't make you wonder. what is crazy? that is essentially the theme of this movie. what is fantasy and what is reality? this challenges the viewer to take stock of their own life, their own reality, if that viewer is so bold. i have watched this film many times and it sets my mind to thinking every time. it is an emotional journey. it is one i think people who suffer from some form of dysfunction can identify with. asking the same questions the film sets to it main character. i have been reading comments left about terry gilliam films by other people and i don't understand why there are folks who dislike his movies. i think there are some that don't get his brand of humor, the one that differs from the monty python stuff. i, myself, am not so taken by the monty python stuff, but his more recent work is of a much more emotional type. and not just the sad or troubled. it explores up and downs. if one goes to a movie and checks their brain at the door, or heart, this movie is not for them. there are a lot of subtle elements in the scenes and in the dialogue. the plot is worked out, but doesn't lead the viewer. the fact is, even if you know what might happen next (a lot of foreshadowing is used), you don't care. it is a slow realization. and by the time the main character has made his realization, it is too late. we often realize things like that. experiencing the repercussions of our actions. or making the same mistakes over and over again. gilliam leaves enough room for me to suppose all sorts of things. films that are more rigid or have no shape don't achieve the same thing. to those who have a problem with ideas not being original, they never studied art. for nothing is original, but we still continue to create. being original is a human desire to feel special and that nothing can come close to that. well look at all the remakes of films that exist and look at all the adaptations of novels there are. then what films left are there, that aren't based on some art flick, no one in main stream America has seen, except maybe the enthusiasts or professionals. what do you have left? i believe in treatment, performance, editing, score and cinematography. all these elements and more merge to form a unique product. i do detest the movie that copies dialogue word for word. (la feme nakita - point of no return) truth is in the impact it has. the vessel that receives the experience may not always be equipped to handle the information so it is rejected, while giving vital energy to those of us that are.