particularly interesting film

Rating: 10/10 (22 November 2004)

*SPOILERS*
I just did my film class paper on the characterization of Pvt. Pyle (Leonard Lawrence). Really it was rather weak, we see him only as a loser trying to redeem himself from alienation and scorn...but failing even under the tutelage of Pvt. Joker. His descent into madness needed no explanation outside extreme oppression. However, Kubrick seems to have cut out any depth of information regarding Pyle's history, beliefs, and opinions. A blank slate, really. You can't easily put yourself in his shoes...unless you are a total loser and get pushed around all the time.
Despite this film's many merits, characterization is not one of them. That is not necessarily a bad thing (besides being opposite to what we expect with such a tortured main character) because it allows us to be a little less wrapped in the eventual suicide. It strikes most people as just freaky, that final scene. Instead of being overwhelmed by sadness and empathy, we just don't know what to feel. I think Kubrick wanted to shift our focus from the characters to the ideas. Hence the dry acting, with lines spoken awkwardly and unevenly. The quotes are important, not who said them. Check the "memorable quotes" section of FMJ and you will see exactly what I mean.