Re-incepting oneself ...
I went for a 2nd re-watching of Inception on Tuesday and fell in love all over again with the movie. And strangely, I lost my slasher goggles. How did that happen?
This time 'round I found the interaction between Arthur and Eames very much collegial camaraderie with the usual insults inflicted by men upon one another instead of simmering UST. And yes, Eames said "darling" only ONCE with the kind of insulting condescension along the lines of "Take that, you dweeb." It was the snarky repartee they exchanged which I think was the basis of the initial slasher goggles. But it was clear that they acknowledged each others' strengths and skills (E: "The projections will hunt you down." A: "And I will lead them on a merry chase."). It is a men's thing to insult one another without any real heat behind it (A: "Eames, I'm impressed." E:"Thank you, Arthur, for your condescension."), unlike females who are wont to read and assign meanings into the most innocuous statements.
I am amazed anew at how fantastically competent Eames (ILU!!!!♥♥♥) was at adapting to what was a screwed up job and his unexpected sympathy at Cobb ("It's not me who won't be going home to my family, is it?") who had inadvertently threw them in harm's way, thanks to his obsession and guilt over Mal.
It was Eames who pretty much helped to make sure that the job was a success. He came up with the best scenario for the inception ("My father wants me to create for myself,"), picked out the weakest link that can be used to pry the mark open like a gutted fish (using Peter Browning as leverage was inspired) and kicked ass so hard at the 3rd dream level with his balletic moves and well-judged violence to buy enough time for Ariadne to retrieve Robert Fischer from limbo and orchestrate the cathartic moment for the idea to take root in Fischer's mind.
I was beginning to feel irritated by fics that depict Eames as a sloppy dresser; I feel that his colour and fabric texture choices are definitely an emblem of his personal style. I think perhaps because this particular combination is hard to pull off that people seem to get the idea that Eames do not dress well.
Matching socks of that shade, not many men can pull it off successfully.
The mix'n'match of textures and colours here is indicative of a bold mind with an eye for comfort.
Look at how well the shirt fits and brings out his eye colour.
Observe how well his suit fits here. With braces/suspenders, for God's sake. *wipes drool discreetly*
Yeah, you could say that this is Peter Browning's suit that he's wearing but it still looks fabulously tailored on his athletic frame. It did not help that the film did not have enough shots to exploit his lean belly but there was enough emphasis on those brawny, magnificent shoulders so that's ok.
*licks monitor lavishly*
Arthur ... ah, Arthur. I fell in love with you all over again, you fantastic BAMF, you. Now I have a problem reading fics where he is prudishly and (dare I say it?) flamingly attached to three-piece suits. Yes, he wore them beautifully.
Only a slender man can pull off these checks.
Well-dressed (lady)killer.
But he also wore other things.
During the get away on the rooftop whereby their chopper was hijacked by Saito, he wore a checked shirt and a natural fibre jacket; no tie, no vest. Still possibly bespoke, but NOT A SUIT. He also wore a leather jacket during the level 1 dream (see below) paired with a matching checked shirt and a grey tee under. Observe that he did not button it all the way up.
Men in leather jackets, mmm ....
I couldn't find any pictures or bootlegged screencaps of him in the pullover sweater teamed with a shirt and loosened tie (in the warehouse, training Ariadne). And yes, he does roll up his sleeves; people who work with their hands often do.
*sigh*
I do think that he appears very often in suits during his jobs because he was going for the professional appearance. It is well-known that dressing well is a must in the corporate world ( and that extends even for contractors of white collar espionage). Arthur has a youthful appearance, thanks to his boyish features and his lean frame; dressing formally also helps to cement faith in his abilities by potential clients and to lend him a formidable presence.
On his own time (which is few that we could see), he appears to favour casual, comfortable clothes of excellent cut that fits really well. So Arthur as an anal, obsessive clotheshorse doesn't play for me anymore. :(
Re-watching also means that now I have a problem reading fics where Saito was a happy-go-lucky sugar daddy for their future projects or celebration drama (that serves as pron pretexts). He was a ruthless corporate raider, who had no compunction about violating his competitor in a most horrific and intimate way, not to mention the willingness to go the distance to ensure that his plans were a success.
I had a better appreciation for Ariadne, even a little beyond her use as an exposition tool. Ellen Page did a very good job with her; balancing a deceptively fragile and innocent appearance with a grim determination to do the right thing and help her companions steer their way through the minefield that is Cobb's subconscious.
My companion, carissa_dd was astonished at my reactions through out the movie; considering that it isn't the first time I was watching it. But how do you elucidate to a non-fannish friend how swept away you can be even upon re-watching? She threatened to bring a pillow to smother me the next time we go to the cinema (yes, I am a screamer ... I scream alone at 3.30 a.m watching Dean and Sam Winchester battle the supernatural); to which I retort that she better bring one with covers she didn't mind smeared with lipstick.
Well, for those who are inclined towards the geeky side of things, have a look see at "How Much Does an Inception Cost?"
Personally, I think it's in the 7th to 8th figures, but that's just me.
What do you think?