take great care of each other and our mother/ warning possible spoiler

Rating: Null/10 (1 May 2011)

"Please take great care of each other and our mother; she is meant to be the color of trees, sand and water; her name is Mother Earth and if she is hurt, she is an unforgiving force to be reckoned with!" This is the message, or lesson that I chose to take with me from the 2009, Drama, "Knowing". Knowing was directed by Alex Proyas and written by Ryne Douglas Pearson. It was John Koestler, played by Nicholas Cage, is a professor in the field of astrophysics, a widower, and single father to Caleb Koestler, played by, Chandler Canterbury. I believe that the author intended to point out that if we continue to "bite the hand that feeds us" we will lose any battles against her. We are a fragile race at the mercy of the land. (Boggs, J. 2008; Proyas, A. 2009).
The film begins in 1959, at William Dawes Elementary School. Children are drawing pictures that will remain underground and opened by students on their fifty year anniversary. Meanwhile, Lucinda Embry, (Lara Robinson), is frantically scribbling numbers on her paper. Before she is able to finish, her paper is taken from her and put in the capsule. Lucinda is later found in a closet where she scratched the remaining numbers on the door. Fifty years later, Caleb receives Lucinda's paper from the capsule and takes it home. John eventually begins analyzing the numbers and discovers they match dates, coordinates and the number of deaths that took place during major disasters in history. John also discovers that there are three dates that haven't occurred yet. It then becomes his mission to prevent these events. (Proyas, A. 2009)
As the film progressed, the idea for my theme became more and more apparent through the use of camera angles and effects during certain scenes. These effects appeared to emphasize a message during specific important scenes. The directors "interpretive view" shot during the looting scene employed the use of low camera angles, slow motion, and close ups shots. The camera effects focused on the anger, fighting and ruthlessness during this scene. This scene was also just before the fires had begun, possibly implying, that "this is the reason you (the human race) must leave". The low camera angles seemed to symbolize to me that "humans couldn't get any lower than they were at that moment." In the beginning scenes of fire, similar, and contrasting effects were used for emphasis. Distant aerial shots, close-up shots, and slowly panned out effects were used during this scene. In addition, the director again employed the use of slow motion. These slow moving, angles were utilized mostly during the fighting and theft scenes. The emphasis and low lighting during these scenes told a story of disgust in our behavior. It forced the viewer to reflect on human behaviors and their effects on the earth. During these two scenes the viewer is watching in first person. My interpretation of this scene coupled with the objective view is to look within at what is most important in life, the well being of our planet and each other. Finally, the "indirect-subjective point of view" was applied in the scene where we watched John and his family hugging just before being consumed by the fire. The audience can feel their pain and joy of being together in their final moments. (Boggs, J. 2008; Proyas, A. 2009)
Although I didn't care for the direction taken at the end of this film, I was intrigued by the films recurring message that reflected on our destructive behavior. It was an obvious message that was sent with a bit of a fictional yet questionable twist. Frequent disasters, a harsh and unforgiving ending, coupled with effective use of camera angles and low lighting; conveys that we are indeed at the mercy of our home. We should take heed that as we waste, destroy, kill and ravage our beautiful earth, she is our only home, yet we are ripping her out from under our feet. We can really learn a lesson from this film. (Boggs, J. 2008; Proyas, A. 2009)
References Boggs, J.M., Petrie, D.W. (2008). The art of watching films. New York, NY: McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc.
Black, T. Producer, & Proyas. A. Director. 2009. Knowing Motion picture. United States: Summit Entertainment.