Comments
few visible scars
The list 'More Noirs from TSPDT' stretches the definition of 'Noir' quite a bit.. but I think this one takes the stretch to just about breaking point. I'm not saying it's a bad film.. just.. well, don't expect anything more Noir-ish than some shadows...
Jumping Elephant
My review:
The plot at times could use some momentum. It is one which may or may not have been fiercely original in 1948. nevertheless, there are some very beautiful shots trapped within the frames. These are echoed by the lyrics repeated throughout the film (penned by Bernard Herrmann). Then there is the theme of faith and fidelity. do soulmates exist? Should we have faith that we will find them and love them? From world's end to world's end, is there only one person for each one of us?Tthe film's answers to these questions lie within the works of Soren Kierkegaard. For reasons esoteric, Kierkegaard broke off his engagement to his beloved Regina. This broke both of their hearts and she eventually remarried. Kierkegaard on the other hand, lived a hermetic life of sorts, yet he remained obsessed with Regina. Kierkegaard believed that the purest way to live was "by faith alone". Living by faith, he surmised, is more pure even than rigid adherance to the ways of ethics and art (interestingly Joseph Cotten plays a uniquely inspired artist). And so one must have faith. Have faith that you and your partner will be together, forever, even if it is literally impossible; that is one of the purest ways to live. This film may not be the best implementation of that message, but it does deliver it in a memorable fashion. The last ten minutes especially have a colorful surprise.
The plot at times could use some momentum. It is one which may or may not have been fiercely original in 1948. nevertheless, there are some very beautiful shots trapped within the frames. These are echoed by the lyrics repeated throughout the film (penned by Bernard Herrmann). Then there is the theme of faith and fidelity. do soulmates exist? Should we have faith that we will find them and love them? From world's end to world's end, is there only one person for each one of us?Tthe film's answers to these questions lie within the works of Soren Kierkegaard. For reasons esoteric, Kierkegaard broke off his engagement to his beloved Regina. This broke both of their hearts and she eventually remarried. Kierkegaard on the other hand, lived a hermetic life of sorts, yet he remained obsessed with Regina. Kierkegaard believed that the purest way to live was "by faith alone". Living by faith, he surmised, is more pure even than rigid adherance to the ways of ethics and art (interestingly Joseph Cotten plays a uniquely inspired artist). And so one must have faith. Have faith that you and your partner will be together, forever, even if it is literally impossible; that is one of the purest ways to live. This film may not be the best implementation of that message, but it does deliver it in a memorable fashion. The last ten minutes especially have a colorful surprise.
Siskoid
It's a bizarre little film, with a story I find rather incredible for the era. An artist (Joseph Cotten) is unnoticeably drawn to the past where he meets a strange young girl called Jennie (Jennifer Jones) who gets older with each meeting. He falls in love with her and investigating her life, attempts to change her fate. No explanation is given for the time travel as such, it's psychic in nature. The characters are drawn together by some unfathomable connection, a metaphor for love. While some of the era's trappings come off as cheesy today (overuse of voice-over, very heavy-handed music), it surprises with stylish flourishes, most of them motivated. Canvas-like treatment as we enter landscapes, interesting angles, an intense tidal wave sequence, and some surprises I won't spoil besides. A fantastical and even metaphysical romance that will intrigue, at the very least.
