BBD Comments:
I sure did like this Pick.
If there is issue to be had with this Selection, it is merely that it sometimes hits the nail on the head. The apotheosis of this assertion is the moment which follows the beautiful piano playing sequence, when the playwright states that no one who heard Beethoven could be bad. Yes, duh, we get that. Our protagonist’s tears as he listened through the headphones taught us that already. That’s the film’s main flaw. Though it is an able and moving monument to the power of the arts, at times it fears government brainwashing has stunted us so completely that we have become unavailable to storytelling’s power. Or are just plain dumb...
I open with that as it is truly my only criticism. If Nubs (on probation as he is) elects to rail against this Pick for its depiction of rape, I would argue that there is no “rape scene” in this film. The complex relationship of the “intimate” to “authority” is the root of this tale’s soul. Any suggestion that this bears DNA similar to ‘Straw Dogs’ would be an error.
In the end, ‘Lives of Others’ sticks to the ribs. The heavy handed telegraphing of a suicide not withstanding, it is buoyed by impeccable performances and an irresistible framework.
Netti has started a fresh Jam with this Selection, and I for one am very curious to see what happens next.
Onwards.
Brandon Comments:
Even though I am still unclear as to how ‘The Lives of Others’ relates to the theme of ‘Near Dark’ in any way, shape or form, I am so very glad Netti brought it and shared with us. Actually, regarding the “theme” and “the jam” between each of our movies, there is a time to follow and a time to lead. The SELECTOR should be able to recognize when a certain theme has run its course, and when to start a fresh session – very similar to a freestyle jazz format: the saxophone player feels the vibe and starts his solo when the other instruments begin to simmer down. In this case, Nubs’ ‘Near Dark’ was a quieting lull in the jam session, and Netti jumped in with his fresh solo.
‘The Lives of Others’ is a heart-stopping, eye-opening fable of discovery: the discovery of life, of love, of human nature and human existence. To see HGW, our surveillance expert, at the film’s beginning and watch him grow as a human being before our eyes is phenomenal filmmaking, and rarely the kind you see from American filmmakers these days--it takes a meticulous German or Frenchman to do it right. The name of the film explains it all, and to watch the protagonist at first interested in the subversive writer and his actress girlfriend, then obsessed with the couple, and then defending and protecting them to the point that it ruins his own career. ‘The Lives of Others’ is one of the most beautiful films I have ever watched, especially on the big screen. I rented it on my TV about six months back, and I really enjoyed it. But to see it at MovieNight on the big screen, with the emotions of the characters visible at all angles, was an entirely different film.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: SPOILER ALERT!!!!]
The entire film itself is only surpassed by its heart-wrenching ending. To watch this hardened, emotionless robot of a human being become a caring, curious, guardian angel of a couple’s love is just beyond words. But then to watch him reduced to a career of steam-opening envelopes because he hid the secret typewriter, then sadly delivering mail with his head down and dreams squashed is a true heart-crusher. But the very end, when HGW walks by the bookstore, sees the writer’s face on a poster, enters the store and peruses the book to find the preface dedicated “to HGW” is…is…a beautiful moment, to say the least. And when the clerk asks HGW if the book is a gift and wants it wrapped, our hero says, “No. This is for me.” Good God that’s an amazing moment. I even got goosebumps when writing this. It’s the first time in the entire film that HGW does something for himself; it’s the first time that he’s actually living his own life.
Netti, this may have been my favorite of all your Selections thus far. That Mercedes has affected you in a very positive way.
Nubs Comments:
The last time I celebrated my birthday at Movienight was in the harshly intense Turkish prison of Coolbaugh’s ‘Midnight Express.’ This year my aging hung-over self was eagerly begging for something a bit lighter. After Netti and the rest of our Crew honored all of my karaoke requests the never-ending night beforehand, I was hoping to have my cake and eat it too. Netti proved this cake would be a hefty slice of subtitles with an icing of German Fascism. I have to admit it took a while for my tired bones to warm up to this tale of art conquering politics and by the time it did I think the temperature in the BackYard dropped ten degrees.
My childish birthday wishes aside, the Crew enjoyed some Spiderman cake and grew up to a very gutsy atypical mature Movienight Selection. Once you overlook the rape of art in an oppressive society and the senseless tragic violent death of a heroine, there is a courageous and romantic tale of one man’s bravery liberating an entire country and changing the world despite sacrificing his high rank to open mail. It was beautifully told by the performances and subtly crafted by the director.
I think...
I might have been too hung over to read all the subtitles.
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