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Monday, December 7, 2009

The Road - Another Film About the End of Life as We Know It - Whoopee!

Went to see the film "The Road." The poster said it is the most hopeful, optimistic film I would see this year. Perhaps it is meant to force us to be grateful for what we have now....but instead it portrays just how frail our security is.

I sure hope not. If you are depressed, don't see this film. While it may help you appreciate what you DO have, it is so graphic in its portrayal of the end of life as we have known it, it could make things worse for you. It feels real. And, somehow, possible. A look at what could happen?

It begins with an indication of fires and earthquakes that destroy nearly everything. You never find out what happened. A few people have somehow prepared in advance so they have some food and other resources stockpiled against this type of event, so they have survived, but clearly, not for long.

Bands of cannibalistic gangs (all men) range the countryside, raping, killing and eating everyone they find. They bear a strong resemblance to rednecks. There are many scenes of butchered, dismembered bodies and people being kept prisoner for future eating. Almost made me puke.

A father and his son wander the landscape searching for something to eat. All animals and plants have perished. They have been instructed to "go South" to the sea, but you never know why, even at the end.

It was so intense, so visceral. Now that it is so cold here in my house in the woods, I feel like I'm in the film.

I don't know what the point of the film is or how anyone could say it was hopeful or optimistic. It should be played after "2012" showing what happened to the few who survived.

1 comment:

marsha said...

A few years ago, I was looking for a movie that would take my mind off things. I was a bit on the depressed side. I saw Nichole Kidman and Julianne Moore on Oprah, talking about The Hours. They claimed that the movie was "life affirming." What a mistake it was for me to see this movie that showed two different suicides. I think the only way to avoid getting hurt by a movie is to read a review that tells the plot. Of course, knowing the plot may make the movie less enjoyable.

Marsha

Mountain Rose Herbs