SHSU Student Choice: The Wrestler
Darkness fills the screen at the conclusion of "The Wrestler" with the light attempting to penetrate from the sides, perfectly capturing the pain that the remaining life of Randy "the Ram" will contain. He will forever be lost in the lonely, distant abyss that seems inescapable. The imaginary walls of this harsh personal prison seem impossible to overcome because of Randy's inability to walk toward the light, but against the current that has been establishes by internal tears throughout his life.
The final shot is beautifully poetic, but so is the entire extraordinary movie-going event. The camera is perpetually placed behind the characters, since most of them are healing from past emotional and physical wounds and compensating for the hurt that will forever plague them. Although these are people who have experienced much turmoil throughout their lives that would seem to imply a sadness that is impenetrable, "The Wrestler" often has uplifting moments that suggest a chance for hope if only the characters will be willing to sacrifice some of the things they want for what they truly need.
Mickey Rourke plays Randy with an urgency and complete focus that makes it the best and most impressive male performance of the decade. Marisa Tomei portrays a delicate balancing act between being caring and callous as Cassidy, a stripper who is fearful of closeness because of past pain, and Evan Rachel Wood is Randy's daughter, a young adult who fails to forgive him for his trespasses because he has not yet found out how to forgive himself. Randy and Cassidy are mirrors of each other, which makes their blossoming relationship continuously grow in its hopelessness. It is impossible to be in a healthy loving relationship with Randy because he does not love himself.
Because "The Wrestler" focuses so intently on Randy "the Ram" Robinson, there is a misconception that the entire significance of the film is devoted to the battle waged between his continuous, self-inflicted plight and the dreams that seem unattainable. It is actually about an exploration of love, life, past decisions that affect present predicaments, and mistakes that could lead to the extinction of all future healthy relationships. These are universal themes that illustrate, in spite of his massive faults, Randy is identifiable as a real person who wishes for a better life but lacks the will to make the changes necessary for this newly found peace to occur. Most of us begin the race of searching for this peace, even if we never find it, but Randy is one of the tragic cases that is stuck in the starting gate, waiting patiently for an enlightenment that will never come.
Critic's Choice: Monster's Ball
"Monster's Ball" is one of the best films I have ever seen. The story is beautiful and tragic, harrowing and hopeful, with performances that capture not merely the essence of the character's personalities, but the deepest, darkest depths of their souls. There is not a contrived moment in "Monster's Ball" because the actors and dialogue create a raw sense of reality that is a triumphant exercise of both nuance and expression in every scene.
"Monster's Ball" makes strong statements about the pervasive nature of racism , the death penalty, poverty and class, and how abuse affects countless generations because of its devastating psychological impact. Although it is courageous to make stark statements about such subjects, the greatness of "Monster's Ball" is that it does not focus on any of these. Ultimately, it is about how two people can cross the racial and emotional divide that should keep them apart and whether they will find the path that truly gives their life the meaning that makes them fulfilled.
These are flawed people with insecurities that simmer beneath the surface and boil over with actions that illustrate their immense need for a human connection. The film carefully explains the motivations of the characters without obviously stating them, allowing the audience a glimpse into the reasons for their sometimes harsh actions. That said, these people redeem themselves not through the convenience of randomly placed plot devices, but by their belief that they can become better people by simply discovering the sense of humanity that had been previously overwhelmed by feelings of pain, loneliness, and hate.
The film sounds dark and at times it is, but it is also has an optimistic outlook on life that creates the possibility that these characters may find life contentment in a world that seemed devoid of it when the story began. It is not an obligatory happy ending, but rather an open-ended one that creates opportunities for the characters to find themselves through their relationships with each other and better understanding of themselves. The audience has a profound emotional experience, believing that something important has been accomplished, even if the unpredictability of life makes the exact future impossible to discern.
The plot unfolds unconventionally, containing revelations slowly discovered by the characters that deeply affect the paths of their lives, continuously forcing them to carefully examine the utopia their hearts are searching for. Every moment progresses the story forward, possessing unparalleled meaning that is a delicate balancing act of the characters' dreams that often seems so far away. There are sex scenes in the film that penetrate the psyche with their immense meaning behind every gesture that often indicates a lack of intimacy that is startling because of the profound act that is being consummated.
"Monster's Ball" refers to the final party thrown for a prisoner before they are executed and, although the film does contain death, it is more about living a gratifying life by finding your benevolence before that dreadful day comes. The performances and cinematography have retain subtle symbolism that simply add to the overall power and richness of the experience. The dialogue expresses only thoughts that the characters wish for others to hear, and it is delivered with conviction by the entire, superb cast.
Be the first to comment on this article!