Silent film references

Rating: 2/10 (27 May 1999)

Boy, what a dud, eh? And I had been told not to expect very much. The theatre here in Toronto was nearly empty. I guess the word has gone around already.
But at least the occasional silent film references may encourage people to investigate some older films of greater merit.
The scene of the blue globes rolling past that irritating Ja-Ja-Jamaican character is from the climax of Buster Keaton's "Seven Chances" (1925). In Buster's case, the globes are boulders and the scene is actually funny. Very funny in fact.
The city scene at the end of this film is clearly modelled after the Babylonian set in D.W. Griffith's "Intolerance" (1916), while the look of the capital planet is taken from Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" (1927). Most people, I think, would have noticed the latter. It's the outward visible sign -- "In hoc signo vinces" -- that any references you think you're seeing are, in fact, 1) real, and 2) intentional.
The pod race, of course, derives from Gen. Wallace's "Ben Hur". I choose to believe it's Fred Niblo's 1926 version with Ramon Novarro that's being referenced, superior I think to the Wyler / Heston remake. Most people who've seen both prefer the original, although the second one does have its strengths too.
For a change of pace, there was that sound film reference -- the sound film has really been catching on, I hear -- that little group of E.T.'s that you see briefly in the Senate chamber. That was cute, a little unexpected. And two seconds worth of "E.T." is about all I can tolerate anyway, so it was just right. A pinch of cuteness, no more.
I have been avoiding the hype about this movie as much as has been humanly possible. Perhaps some publicity has mentioned these homages, perhaps not. In any case, they are pretty clear to greying members of the audience.
Not paying attention to the pre-publicity may have been a mistake however. The filmmaker assumes you've seen it so he doesn't have to give you any basic information. For example, what was the main character's name? Liam Neeson's? After the screening, I stopped into the bookshop next door where I learned the name of the lead character in the film I'd just seen! Thank goodness for neighbourhood bookstores.
I should also state for the record the most obvious point about the movie, its argument in favour of the current Canadian parliamentary system. Where senators don't have any real actual power to use and abuse. Members of those of Her Majesty's opposition parties who are plotting Senate "reform", please note: See this movie! See it now!
And thank you, George, for your firm support for the constitutional status quo here in Canada! We appreciate it!