(no subject)
The Warrior
Asif Kapadia
2001
I have somewhat mixed feelings about The Warrior. The film's two biggest drawbacks are it's uncomfortable narrative and archetypal characters. I can usually appreciate creative, non-traditional narratives as well as a well done traditional film, but The Warrior exists in some unfortunate middle ground. On the one hand, Kapadia places the main dramatic tension and conflict on the back burner, creating a more contemplative and at times almost aimless pace. Furthermore, many of the key dramatic events seem isolated from one another and entwine mainly due to chance -- a fact that the film simply accepts and does not seek to examine or explain. As such, The Warrior ends up feeling like a series of loosely-yet-importantly connected events that just happen to be set out in a strictly sequential order. Unfortunately, a few narratively "important" scenes stick out and muck up this presentation, pulling it back towards a more traditional feel. I feel like Kapadia may have been better off just letting the main dramatic tension of the film remain a background element for the entire film, never pulling it to the forefront.
The other problem I have with The Warrior lies in the almost mythological one-dimensionality of the characters. For the more dynamic characters, change occurs in an instant -- the forces at work are hinted at but not examined. Other characters are very much stock, such as the Blind Seer or the Rough Yet Kindhearted Orphan. Because the film's narrative is loose and the action diffuse, the lack of dynamic characters hurts more.
That said, The Warrior is certainly worth watching for the cinematography alone. Shot in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, The Warrior features a intensely striking portrait of life in an unforgiving landscape. The color palate blends together well, crafting a very complete visual style. When Kapadia chooses to turn up the color in a few areas he does so quite skillfully and subtly.
It's also worth mentioning that something about the film reminded me a lot of several of Takeshi Kitano's films, such as Fireworks and Sonatine. I think the main protagonist's (skillfully played by Irfan Khan) demeanor had a lot to do with it. Takeshi Kitano often plays quiet and aloof, yet not quite mysterious characters. While you cannot read his feelings on his face or through his words, his actions and the aesthetic that surrounds him gives the viewer a clear idea of his emotional state. Irfan Khan's character is much the same way, although perhaps in a less extreme way.
Asif Kapadia
2001
I have somewhat mixed feelings about The Warrior. The film's two biggest drawbacks are it's uncomfortable narrative and archetypal characters. I can usually appreciate creative, non-traditional narratives as well as a well done traditional film, but The Warrior exists in some unfortunate middle ground. On the one hand, Kapadia places the main dramatic tension and conflict on the back burner, creating a more contemplative and at times almost aimless pace. Furthermore, many of the key dramatic events seem isolated from one another and entwine mainly due to chance -- a fact that the film simply accepts and does not seek to examine or explain. As such, The Warrior ends up feeling like a series of loosely-yet-importantly connected events that just happen to be set out in a strictly sequential order. Unfortunately, a few narratively "important" scenes stick out and muck up this presentation, pulling it back towards a more traditional feel. I feel like Kapadia may have been better off just letting the main dramatic tension of the film remain a background element for the entire film, never pulling it to the forefront.
The other problem I have with The Warrior lies in the almost mythological one-dimensionality of the characters. For the more dynamic characters, change occurs in an instant -- the forces at work are hinted at but not examined. Other characters are very much stock, such as the Blind Seer or the Rough Yet Kindhearted Orphan. Because the film's narrative is loose and the action diffuse, the lack of dynamic characters hurts more.
That said, The Warrior is certainly worth watching for the cinematography alone. Shot in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, The Warrior features a intensely striking portrait of life in an unforgiving landscape. The color palate blends together well, crafting a very complete visual style. When Kapadia chooses to turn up the color in a few areas he does so quite skillfully and subtly.
It's also worth mentioning that something about the film reminded me a lot of several of Takeshi Kitano's films, such as Fireworks and Sonatine. I think the main protagonist's (skillfully played by Irfan Khan) demeanor had a lot to do with it. Takeshi Kitano often plays quiet and aloof, yet not quite mysterious characters. While you cannot read his feelings on his face or through his words, his actions and the aesthetic that surrounds him gives the viewer a clear idea of his emotional state. Irfan Khan's character is much the same way, although perhaps in a less extreme way.