Hmmm - not quite how I wanted to start my last morning in Vancouver. Dark, symbolic and sad. A politician hits a pedestrian and then pays his driver to take the fall for him. The driver agrees leaving his wife and teenage son alone while he serves a relatively short prison term. But with him out of the picture the stability of the family is altered, seemingly irrevocably. I was definitely engaged with the film, so to that extent it works well. Visually, it has a stark sepia toned look to it that seems to match the subject matter well. The performances are in line with the material and believable. I can't say I really enjoyed the experience though - it's a super bummer. Not very sophisticated I suppose - but sometimes I don't want to be hit over the head with pain and sorrow no matter how beautiful the film making and acting is. In the film human nature itself seems to come out looking the worse for wear - and in exchange I didn't come away feeling I'd seen some greater truth which would have at least balanced the sadness. I suspect if you're willing to go out with friends and analyze this one there will be a lot to discuss. Especially because at times they through what seems to be "bonus" symbolism into the mix - perhaps to provide something in the way of back story or motivation. If nothing else you can spend a bunch of time trying to place which parts suggest each of the title's monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil).
Pre-film trailer watch:
VIFF '08 continues to impress with the pre-film trailers. For one thing they're going with simplicity vs. volume. In contrast this year with SIFF there were some films with 6+ things before the film started - with at best one being interesting. I love SIFF - it's a mild criticism and probably the only one I had from the 2008 festival. But even against sterner competition the VIFF's trailers are very good. There's also a decent number of them - I caught three new ones in the last 24 hrs. No one wants to seem the same opening bit all day long. So far all have been pretty funny. The three new case studies describing folks they're glad are in attendance:
- person on the rush line - especially the one that doesn't quite make it in.
- the person who sort of got taken to something outside their comfort zone, for example by an "internet date" who'd rather be at a light romantic comedy featuring some charming fellow from England.
- probably my personal favorite - the fan who deeply analyzes each film and finds meaning beyond what the director knew was there. Especially when it comes to the color Mauve.
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