Oct 09, 2009 01:08
Went to the Mill Valley Film Festival tonight.
There is so much to say, and there are so few words to say it with.
Director John Hillcoat was there and spoke briefly before the showing. What a lovely man. So respectful of Cormac McCarthy's story, and the way it came to him. Courteous to the actors in the way he spoke of them. Grateful for being able to work in this medium of film, of storytelling. Appreciative that MVVF found a way to have the film as part of its opening night films. Thankful that we were all there for a 9:40pm screening.
His voice, when he spoke about Kodi- genuine respect, genuine care, genuine love.
The film: I'll talk more about it after it's gone into as wide a release as it's going to. This, I'll say: I have never seen a more honest love story between parent and child. I've never seen a better filmic telling of a written tale. I've never seen so grim and sad a background bring to life the small things and large which make us humane, make us human. I've not felt this kind of hope in years.
It's technically perfect, from what I can tell. The acting is - it's remarkable. Everything I knew about them from the book, is in the film. The directing, the editing, the cinematography, costuming, set design and decoration, location scouting- to the last detail, perfect.
I don't expect it to win awards. It's --- people are scared of this world, this post-something world where it's down to who you brought with you inside yourself from before, and who you let yourself become, after, and what you leave of yourself with others. It is frightening to look at- but for me, it's more frightening not to look.
I want to be one of the good guys. I want to die carrying the fire.
I'm so very, very glad I saw this movie. I'll never see anything in my life the same way again.
It will always, always look better now than it did before this evening.
the road,
movies,
caring,
ethics,
love,
philosophy,
life