why is this my favourite film

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2008)

Roger Ebert wrote an excellent article on this topic "whats_your_favorite_movie" And his choice is La Dolce Vita, this is my choice.
I first saw this as a young teenager, in the middle of the night, some movie channel re-run, when infomercials hadn't come to fruition yet. But don't think I finished it, but I remember the matchstick scene.
mind you, there are 2 kinds of boys - one turn on by mystery, the other by excitement. i'm the first kind if you have not already guested.
Sometimes later, still as a teenager, I saw the complete film, again late nite movie channel. from the opening the music, the motorcycle scene it got my attention. Then it as the desert scenes. I admired the external beauty of the shots.
The film stayed in my mind, mythical almost, but not fully understandable - certain aspect bothered me to a degree, but I didn't pursuit it further. Looking back, it is the finding of oneself, true self and live it - however improbable it is was probably the underlying attraction. And i didn't understand the torture scene part - too subtle for my attention at the time.
Yet again, years later I saw it re-release 70mm, wide screen. It didn't feel great, but why did I go?
When I started traveling, by chance I visited Egypt, Jordan and the 7 pillars location, the wells, and the dunes in the edge of Sahara. then I understood the beauty and the illusion of the desert - that it "seems" infinite, without bearings, within a measure of how far, how near, how to measure/gauge things - almost anything - even your emotions to some level. That is the aura and that is how one can feel in life some times.
The movie is a more or less a search for self - a self that may or may not know the enormity of the situation that is in and what comes may. But through character, the situation changes the character and the character changes the situation. But isn't it also based on true events ? Yes, but these are then re-interpreted by David Lean.
Is Lawrence a great man? For me, this movie shows not really. He is just true to his character and convictions, act when called upon, suggests what he knows but may not understand, fighting his fears and dignity when he needs to. Given others, maybe they will fade away - be aware of the situation and sell-out. Or be part of the story but not the forefront - like the 2 servants.
Later on, when friends would ask me what is your favourite movie, I would say 'Lawrence' without really knowing why. Now after reading Ebert's article I know.