A Weekend on Film

Over the past weekend I’ve been and seen two films, the Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg film The Terminal, and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. Both of these films are to a certain extent a parable (or parody) of the 21st Century America.

Spielberg in The Terminal shows us, the America he loves, highlighting an America built on the back of Immigrants. And an America that needs to trust in the generosity and resourcefulness of those who move into the country. The lesson for us is that rather than fearing those who are different, America, and us too, should be more open to those who seek to come to our shores.

The film is inspired by the true story of Merhan Karimi Nasseri. Who was expelled from Iran, and has been living in Charles de Gualle Airport, as he has no documentation to enter France, and can not be sent back to Iran. In the terminal Viktor Navorski, arrives at JFK, and while he was in transit a coup erupted in his home country, invalidating his travel documents. America is now closed to him, and he can not be sent home. So he is told to live in the transit lounge.

Hanks plays the role quite well. In the beginning most of the action is silent. Hanks runs from monitor to monitor trying to see the news of his home town. The optimism of his character is appealing. He makes the best of the situation, making himself a bed in a disused gate due to renovation, he eats the free crackers with mustard and sauce. While he is there he gradually teaches himself english, and builds a reputation among the workers in the airport. Hanks is asked to intrepret between the customs authorities and an inbound passenger who is seeking to bring medicine in to save his father. Hanks translates the medicine is for a goat, allowing the medicine to be imported into the country without documentation. A reputation gained through standing up for the intent rather than the letter of the law.

The interplay between Amelia and Viktor is quite humerous in places, leading to some of the more tender moments in the film. A couple that stand out is the dinner that they share, and the entertainment that Viktor’s friends. Viktor’s role leading to the marriage of two of the films characters is aslo quite humerous.

However, all that said, I felt the film was not quite there. It was a great idea, but dissappointingly executed. The motiviations of some of the lead characters were confusing at best, and it is hard to gauge Spielberg’s intent. Was Spielberg seeking to illuminate the ‘New’ America, if so, he has done it quite subtlely, and perhaps the ‘love story’ and comic elements have concealed his subtely. Through the film I am now interested in seeing Lost in Transit, a French adaption of the story of Merhan Karimi Nasseri.

Another film, with a different take on the 21st Century America is The Village. The Village does offer much for those with a bent towards psychology, both in terms of the plot, and in some sections the manner in which it is constructed. I found this to be a slightly frustrating film, as there was so much promise in the film, yet it was slightly disappointing in a few minor areas. Yet the film continues to grow on me. The performances by Bryce Dallas Howard [Ivy], and Joaquin Phoenix [Lucius] are stunning and their roles carry the film well. The relationships of the lead characters are also wonderfully done.

The film is set in a village in Pennsylvania in the late 19th Century. There are creatures in the woods. There is an unspoken agreement they will not be harmed by those in the woods, and they will not cross in the woods. There are two colours, ‘the bad colour’ that ‘attracts them’ the colour red bringing to mind violence and blood, and the town is guarded each night by men who wear yellow cloaks, the ‘safe’ colour. The perimeter of the town is also lined with yellow cloth, and yellow paint to protect them.

Lucius after the death of a friend desires to cross through into the forbidden woods to find medicine. The elder council decline to give permission. Luicius out of his curiosity crosses into the woods. The creatures over the next night enter the village, leaving more warnings. To reveal more of the synopsis, now that would be spoiling.

I have found the film effective, because I have been thinking about it. The film is a less optimistic take on the new America. Looking back I would also say that the cinematography, and the dialogue of the film is quite sharp in a number of places, the music and camera work beautifully creates the mood of the film from the opening to closing credits.

It’s hard to talk about this film without giving too much away. The film raises some profound questions. I am left in no doubt that Shyamalan has created a parable for modern times, I am beginning to feel if we seek to read too much, or too little from this film, its lessons will be lost on us.

If you have seen it – let me know what you thought; probably via email as it is quite a struggle to nail why the film was so insightful, and influential without revealing too much of the film.