A Little Behind, As Far As Writing Reviews
So, I'm a little behind, in terms of writing reviews, but I have been keeping up with viewing films. I'm just passing the halfway point for my project, and I certainly have not let it derail my personal life. Here's what I've done over the past week, quickly:
Last Sunday: I spent at the beach with Rory and her friend Andrea. We went to Scarborough Beach State Park, while hoping the storm clouds would hold off long enough for us to enjoy the day. They did. And we had a great time. Played some frisbee, walked the beach, looked out on some rocks, had some mixed drinks. Oops, you're not supposed to bring alcohol to the beach. Oh well! Then, we went for ice cream. Around 7:00 that night, it started to pour. We lucked out.
Monday and Tuesday: I spent at the beach in Old Orchard. I love going there, perhaps because of my childhood memories of it. I love people-watching, and this tourist-trap of a town (which is also the same town that I teach in) has plenty of people to watch. The water, though, the Atlantic Ocean, is still very cold this time of year. You basically have to wait until the end of July for the water to warm up, slightly, to be just above numbing-your-limbs-temperature.
Wednesday night: Rory, Vanessa, a few other girls and I went out to Pineland Farms for an extravagant dinner put on by the Black Tie Catering Company called "Graze." We all got a livingsocial deal: 2 tix for $95. Here's what you got for the $47.50: a tour of one of the parts of the farm- we chose the sheep farm that covers over 250 acres of land; there was also live music and a 5-course meal. Way too much food, but it was all delicious and so I felt the need to try just about everything. Oh, and free beer! Although, I only had two because I thought you could still get it throughout the meal. We all had such a blast. I was the one who, of course, dressed down for the event, as each lady wore a dress and I wore my trusty t-shirt and jeans. It was a blast and I would totally do it again, if the opportunity presented itself.
Thursday: I traveled down to Boston for the day to meet up with a wonderful girl that I'd met at the A Fine Frenzy I went to back in November. She was from Rhode Island, at the time, and has since moved down to Florida. She found herself back up in Rhode Island for a wedding and since we've stayed in touch since November, I suggested we meet up again. She agreed and so we had a few hours to catch up with each other outside a sandwich shop near South Station. Yup, it's like I've gotten to live out my own "Before Sunrise" and followed it up with the sequel "Before Sunset." It is very clear that we both enjoy each other's company and are equally into each other. I recently told her that if she were closer, we would've definitely tried to make something work, in terms of a relationship- But how does someone who openly admits to needing/craving a lot of attention (re: ME) handle or survive a long-distance relationship? Anyway, so we've agreed on several things, as far as we are concerned, and for now, we shall enjoy what we have with each other: which, right now, amounts to 2 very brief encounters, and several interludes with conversations. See, life can be just like the movies!
Oh, I've also been to the theatre to see 3 blockbuster films, stayed tuned for their reviews, coming right up!
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Film 177
"True Grit"
starring: Jeff Bridges, Hailie Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin
directed: Coen Brothers
"True Grit" is pretty much an almost-perfect movie for the trifeca of reasons: great directing, great writing, and great acting. The actors really put their souls into their characters to bring this remake to life. Remakes are hard to do, because often times people are skeptical of it meeting expectations and/or coming close to the intent of the original. Fortunately, the Coen Brothers knew that when they signed on, and they in no way are attempting to make the same kind of film that the 1969 film was- I think perhaps they recognized that it had to stand alone. I mean, the original had John Wayne in the leading role, he he played the character his way, the only way he knew how. Jeff Bridges is perhaps the antithesis of John Wayne's portrayal. Here, Rooster Cogburn is Jeff Bridges, and Jeff Bridges is Rooster Cogburn (as perhaps he was originally intended to be, maybe because Cogburn as portrayed by Bridges is the kind of lawman that you were more likely to run into in those old days of the Western law). I love how Bridges plays him as the eternally flawed man, with a conscience just enough to get the job done, although you can never trust him to stay true to his word, because he's often drunk when he tells you something, so the chances of him remembering his duties are slim. And he knows this, so he doesn't like doing his job. But, when he is hired, he does his job and damn-it-all, if he doesn't do it perfectly.
Mattie Ross sets out to find him, after bargaining her way, stubbornly and expertly, into enough money to hire Cogburn (since he is the best "bounty hunter" in the West). Mattie Ross is played by Hailee Steinfeld and after watching this film, I can completely see why she was nominated for an Oscar. Steinfeld was all of 14 years old when she played the 13 year old Hattie looking for revenge on her father's killer. She is perfect in this role. Stubborn, yet lovable. You can tell that Hattie was raised with the old Western mentality of an eye for an eye, because she wants to find Tom Chaney (played briefly by Josh Brolin) and kill him for what he's done. She wants to give him her own version of swift justice. She doesn't want him brought in and tried in court. Hell, no! That won't do. And that's why she hires Cogburn, because she knows he'll help get the job done. Except, she wants to do the killing. Steinfeld is effective to a tee as Hattie and you feel genuinely sorry for this girl. Her character is not too far from Jennifer Lawrence's character from "Winter's Bone" (another equally perfect film, thanks to the acting and story).
This film belongs to Hailee Steinfeld, if only because she could have played her a different way and instead she decided to be gritty and bare-boned, as well as no-holds-bar with Mattie. Mattie truly shows the true grit throughout this film. She is the one who must and does persevere through it all. Sure, it's a Coen Brothers film and that alone sets a standard, which they achieve, especially impressive since it veers away from their typical out-of-the-box kind of films. They are usually eccentric and quirky, but here they give us the full treatment of what a Western movie is about, even in the 21st century, far removed from that Western lifestyle. They capture it well here.
I don't even necessarily have to mention that Matt Damon is great as a sidekick-of-sorts (shh, don't tell his character though) Texas Ranger who is along for the ride. He is there to provide loyalty to justice as well as inject the right amount of humor at the right times, not to mention be that guy that shows up at the right time, when there is trouble. Damon does a great job with his role.
And Josh Brolin is great as the uncompromising villain that Mattie Ross is out to kill. He would kill her when/if given the chance (and he has the chance), but he has connected himself with a group of outlaws and he has to listen to that leader, so he doesn't kill Mattie, but he makes it very clear that he wants to. Thankfully, in this genre, there are no true psychological insights or wonderings about Tom Chaney's evil. He's just evil. And he must be defeated. Mattie will defeat him.
Watch this film and enjoy it. Also, think about why actors are always told that they will be out-shined by child actors when you watch Hailee Steinfeld. I can't wait to see what she does next. She is set to star as Juliet in another remake of "Romeo and Juliet" as well as have a leading role in the teenage-fiction novel-turned-film "Ender's Game."
.............................................................................
Film 178
"Blue State"
starring: Breckin Meyer, Anna Paquin
Breckin Meyer is perhaps best known for screwball comedies like "Clueless" or "Road Trip" or my favorite, "Rat Race." In this indie film, his character John Logue sets out on a different kind of road trip.
Set around the 2004 election, Logue is a Democratic supporter of John Kerry and he travels door to door and does anything in support of the campaign he has full faith in winning that he boldly makes a wager and says that he will move to Canada if Bush gets re-elected, to avoid having to suffer the consequences of 4 more years. He seems well versed the the Democratic agenda and has something to say in return each time someone of the differing party suggests something he doesn't believe. The only trouble is: of course, now we know the outcome of that election- Bush won. And at first, John Logue hesitates on his promise and says that no one could have truly believed he was going to actually move to Canada. But, people pressure him to put his money where his mouth is, and follow through, especially the readers of his blog. (Hmm, I wonder if I suggested something on my own blog, what people would have to say about it.) Finally, he gives in, and decides to move to Canada, from Ohio, by the way. He finds a website "Marry-a-Canadian" which helps American refugees settle in Canada. When he gets to the house, eventually, though, it's a totally different vibe than just helping out. The leader of the group, an older woman, who could almost pass for some kind of cult leader, tries to sleep with John and things go south from there.
But, alas, before he gets to Canada, he must find a companion to travel with him, because let's face it, road trip movies and only good if there's more than one person (especially if that person is of the opposite sex), because that creates the tension the story needs in order to move forward. So, enter, Anna Paquin, as Chloe, who is at-first, a mysterious blue-tinted hair girl with particularly suspicious ways about her. You can tell that something is up with her from the beginning, otherwise why would she be going on a road trip with a complete stranger. She must have an agenda. Fortunately, for both of them, they hide their agendas from each other. Anna Paquin can play the mysterious girl well enough to not necessarily be considered that typical manic pixie dream girl in the films where she takes a smaller role. She has her own things to discover about herself. Hell, that's pretty much the defining characteristic of a road trip movie. Meyer's John Logue is not so much interested in knowing the details of Paquin's Chloe, because he just wants to get to Canada. Sure, he is attracted to her, but then again, what guy wouldn't be? But, it's more of an attraction because he doesn't know anything about her. If he knew the truth, would he still want to be with her? Well, he finds out the truth later in the film, when things are going south, and part of his self-discovery leads him back to Chloe.
The interesting thing about the end result of this road trip film is that their identity discovery within themselves, each character, is steeped in their ability to identify themselves as Americans (again). I guess the film seems outdated, already, because of its specificity, time-wise, as well as the audience it was trying to reach. John Logue is quite anti-Bush, but does that make him unAmerican?
Sure, it goes through the road trip and romantic comedy cliches at times, but ultimately it works in getting the characters where they need to be, both physically and mentally.
The part that was hard for me to swallow, because it didn't seem to really help the film progress, and it felt almost like stepping on an unnecessary landmine in the middle of the film, is the brief, pit-stop Chloe and John take at his parents' house. It seemed to only be looking for sympathy in regards to the explanation of how John got to be the way he is, politically speaking, I guess.
Breckin Meyer is a decent actor, when given the right material and Anna Paquin could've done better. Together, they aren't very believable as the romantic comedy couple that needs to find each other again, by the end of the film. I didn't really care if they were together.
............................................................................
Film 179
"Tape"
starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Robert Sean Leonard
directed by: Richard Linklater
The film "Tape" is unbelievably great! Alert: I may be slightly biased. I love Richard Linklater films. I love Ethan Hawke in Richard Linklater films. And I love Uma Thurman, period.
This is a film based on a play, and the way Linklater directs it, you almost feel up on stage with these three actors, the way the camera works in and out of scenes. Sometimes extremely close up. Sometimes far enough away from the actors to pan the hotel room they are in for you to realize they have nowhere to go. They are stuck with each other. And a lot happens within the confines of these four walls, as well as within the 86 minutes the film runs. It's heavy and it's loaded. It's contents could happen in real life between three real people and that's why I love it (and similar films). It plays out like something that could happen between real old high school acquaintances. It's all talk, first between Hawke and Leonard, then for the last 30 minutes or so, Thurman's character enters to add more spice to the already heated up discussion.
And what are they discussing? Ethan Hawke's Vince wants to get to the bottom of something that happened 10 years ago between his first girlfriend (Thurman) and his supposed best friend (Leonard). Vince wholeheartedly believes that something shady went down between Johnny (Leonard) and Amy (Thurman). Johnny raped Amy. Vince believes this and he makes it his duty to have Johnny not only believe it, too, but also admit it. And then, he wants Johnny to apologize to Amy, whom Vince clearly still hands a candle for (but don't we all, for our first loves?). The trouble with Vince is that he hasn't grown up since high school. He is still that same dude. Johnny and Amy have clearly moved on, even when Amy shows up and things are revealed and aired out, they are clearly adults now.
The conversation(s) these three people have are very similar to dialogue you would expect to hear in a Neil LaBute or even better, David Mamet play. And that's what makes it great, because even though there is a clear homage to those playwrights, it stands alone, as a masterpiece of language and human interaction.
Ethan Hawke is great as a drunk, coked up dude who just wants to stay in his "glory days" and also it would help to get the girl of his dreams back, especially since they never had sex and he is completely mystified by that fact. So, he lives in his head, and that's a terrible place to be, if your Vince (well, really, if you're anyone). The made-up reality in our minds is always worse than the actual reality.
Robert Sean Leonard plays Johnny with a bravado and confidence that helps him survive Vince's interrogation in the small hotel room. Johnny is smart and accomplished. The complete opposite of Vince, and it's clear that he probably was the same way in high school, so when Amy went to Johnny after breaking up with Vince, you can see why. And Amy makes that clear to Vince, especially, when she shows up. She wishes Vince would've grown up, lived up to any potential she may have believed him to have. Johnny gets worn down by Vince's interrogation and finally admits that yes, he probably raped Amy. Vince is relieved and happy because he gets this confession on tape (hence the title). But, the moral dilemma, once Amy shows up, is who does the tape belong to: Sure, Vince bought it, but it has Johnny's memories on it, and it involves Amy's past doings, too. Who does the past belong to? Each individual has their own interpretation of the same past event. And who gets to say what it means? Each person certainly has provided their own meaning to it all. I absolutely love films like this, films that present moral dilemmas, because they are not as easily fixable as "normal" conflicts. You cannot rebuild something like this. It makes you question and think about things, yourself.
When I write my own stories, I always find it easier to stay within the confines of one particular moment, or scene, with few characters because I enjoy the tension that comes with it. Perhaps I should attempt writing a play.
I definitely recommend this tension-filled film. Then, go watch Linklater's other films. They are just as enjoyable.
Last Sunday: I spent at the beach with Rory and her friend Andrea. We went to Scarborough Beach State Park, while hoping the storm clouds would hold off long enough for us to enjoy the day. They did. And we had a great time. Played some frisbee, walked the beach, looked out on some rocks, had some mixed drinks. Oops, you're not supposed to bring alcohol to the beach. Oh well! Then, we went for ice cream. Around 7:00 that night, it started to pour. We lucked out.
Monday and Tuesday: I spent at the beach in Old Orchard. I love going there, perhaps because of my childhood memories of it. I love people-watching, and this tourist-trap of a town (which is also the same town that I teach in) has plenty of people to watch. The water, though, the Atlantic Ocean, is still very cold this time of year. You basically have to wait until the end of July for the water to warm up, slightly, to be just above numbing-your-limbs-temperature.
Wednesday night: Rory, Vanessa, a few other girls and I went out to Pineland Farms for an extravagant dinner put on by the Black Tie Catering Company called "Graze." We all got a livingsocial deal: 2 tix for $95. Here's what you got for the $47.50: a tour of one of the parts of the farm- we chose the sheep farm that covers over 250 acres of land; there was also live music and a 5-course meal. Way too much food, but it was all delicious and so I felt the need to try just about everything. Oh, and free beer! Although, I only had two because I thought you could still get it throughout the meal. We all had such a blast. I was the one who, of course, dressed down for the event, as each lady wore a dress and I wore my trusty t-shirt and jeans. It was a blast and I would totally do it again, if the opportunity presented itself.
Thursday: I traveled down to Boston for the day to meet up with a wonderful girl that I'd met at the A Fine Frenzy I went to back in November. She was from Rhode Island, at the time, and has since moved down to Florida. She found herself back up in Rhode Island for a wedding and since we've stayed in touch since November, I suggested we meet up again. She agreed and so we had a few hours to catch up with each other outside a sandwich shop near South Station. Yup, it's like I've gotten to live out my own "Before Sunrise" and followed it up with the sequel "Before Sunset." It is very clear that we both enjoy each other's company and are equally into each other. I recently told her that if she were closer, we would've definitely tried to make something work, in terms of a relationship- But how does someone who openly admits to needing/craving a lot of attention (re: ME) handle or survive a long-distance relationship? Anyway, so we've agreed on several things, as far as we are concerned, and for now, we shall enjoy what we have with each other: which, right now, amounts to 2 very brief encounters, and several interludes with conversations. See, life can be just like the movies!
Oh, I've also been to the theatre to see 3 blockbuster films, stayed tuned for their reviews, coming right up!
.....................................................................
Film 177
"True Grit"
starring: Jeff Bridges, Hailie Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin
directed: Coen Brothers
"True Grit" is pretty much an almost-perfect movie for the trifeca of reasons: great directing, great writing, and great acting. The actors really put their souls into their characters to bring this remake to life. Remakes are hard to do, because often times people are skeptical of it meeting expectations and/or coming close to the intent of the original. Fortunately, the Coen Brothers knew that when they signed on, and they in no way are attempting to make the same kind of film that the 1969 film was- I think perhaps they recognized that it had to stand alone. I mean, the original had John Wayne in the leading role, he he played the character his way, the only way he knew how. Jeff Bridges is perhaps the antithesis of John Wayne's portrayal. Here, Rooster Cogburn is Jeff Bridges, and Jeff Bridges is Rooster Cogburn (as perhaps he was originally intended to be, maybe because Cogburn as portrayed by Bridges is the kind of lawman that you were more likely to run into in those old days of the Western law). I love how Bridges plays him as the eternally flawed man, with a conscience just enough to get the job done, although you can never trust him to stay true to his word, because he's often drunk when he tells you something, so the chances of him remembering his duties are slim. And he knows this, so he doesn't like doing his job. But, when he is hired, he does his job and damn-it-all, if he doesn't do it perfectly.
Mattie Ross sets out to find him, after bargaining her way, stubbornly and expertly, into enough money to hire Cogburn (since he is the best "bounty hunter" in the West). Mattie Ross is played by Hailee Steinfeld and after watching this film, I can completely see why she was nominated for an Oscar. Steinfeld was all of 14 years old when she played the 13 year old Hattie looking for revenge on her father's killer. She is perfect in this role. Stubborn, yet lovable. You can tell that Hattie was raised with the old Western mentality of an eye for an eye, because she wants to find Tom Chaney (played briefly by Josh Brolin) and kill him for what he's done. She wants to give him her own version of swift justice. She doesn't want him brought in and tried in court. Hell, no! That won't do. And that's why she hires Cogburn, because she knows he'll help get the job done. Except, she wants to do the killing. Steinfeld is effective to a tee as Hattie and you feel genuinely sorry for this girl. Her character is not too far from Jennifer Lawrence's character from "Winter's Bone" (another equally perfect film, thanks to the acting and story).
This film belongs to Hailee Steinfeld, if only because she could have played her a different way and instead she decided to be gritty and bare-boned, as well as no-holds-bar with Mattie. Mattie truly shows the true grit throughout this film. She is the one who must and does persevere through it all. Sure, it's a Coen Brothers film and that alone sets a standard, which they achieve, especially impressive since it veers away from their typical out-of-the-box kind of films. They are usually eccentric and quirky, but here they give us the full treatment of what a Western movie is about, even in the 21st century, far removed from that Western lifestyle. They capture it well here.
I don't even necessarily have to mention that Matt Damon is great as a sidekick-of-sorts (shh, don't tell his character though) Texas Ranger who is along for the ride. He is there to provide loyalty to justice as well as inject the right amount of humor at the right times, not to mention be that guy that shows up at the right time, when there is trouble. Damon does a great job with his role.
And Josh Brolin is great as the uncompromising villain that Mattie Ross is out to kill. He would kill her when/if given the chance (and he has the chance), but he has connected himself with a group of outlaws and he has to listen to that leader, so he doesn't kill Mattie, but he makes it very clear that he wants to. Thankfully, in this genre, there are no true psychological insights or wonderings about Tom Chaney's evil. He's just evil. And he must be defeated. Mattie will defeat him.
Watch this film and enjoy it. Also, think about why actors are always told that they will be out-shined by child actors when you watch Hailee Steinfeld. I can't wait to see what she does next. She is set to star as Juliet in another remake of "Romeo and Juliet" as well as have a leading role in the teenage-fiction novel-turned-film "Ender's Game."
.............................................................................
Film 178
"Blue State"
starring: Breckin Meyer, Anna Paquin
Breckin Meyer is perhaps best known for screwball comedies like "Clueless" or "Road Trip" or my favorite, "Rat Race." In this indie film, his character John Logue sets out on a different kind of road trip.
Set around the 2004 election, Logue is a Democratic supporter of John Kerry and he travels door to door and does anything in support of the campaign he has full faith in winning that he boldly makes a wager and says that he will move to Canada if Bush gets re-elected, to avoid having to suffer the consequences of 4 more years. He seems well versed the the Democratic agenda and has something to say in return each time someone of the differing party suggests something he doesn't believe. The only trouble is: of course, now we know the outcome of that election- Bush won. And at first, John Logue hesitates on his promise and says that no one could have truly believed he was going to actually move to Canada. But, people pressure him to put his money where his mouth is, and follow through, especially the readers of his blog. (Hmm, I wonder if I suggested something on my own blog, what people would have to say about it.) Finally, he gives in, and decides to move to Canada, from Ohio, by the way. He finds a website "Marry-a-Canadian" which helps American refugees settle in Canada. When he gets to the house, eventually, though, it's a totally different vibe than just helping out. The leader of the group, an older woman, who could almost pass for some kind of cult leader, tries to sleep with John and things go south from there.
But, alas, before he gets to Canada, he must find a companion to travel with him, because let's face it, road trip movies and only good if there's more than one person (especially if that person is of the opposite sex), because that creates the tension the story needs in order to move forward. So, enter, Anna Paquin, as Chloe, who is at-first, a mysterious blue-tinted hair girl with particularly suspicious ways about her. You can tell that something is up with her from the beginning, otherwise why would she be going on a road trip with a complete stranger. She must have an agenda. Fortunately, for both of them, they hide their agendas from each other. Anna Paquin can play the mysterious girl well enough to not necessarily be considered that typical manic pixie dream girl in the films where she takes a smaller role. She has her own things to discover about herself. Hell, that's pretty much the defining characteristic of a road trip movie. Meyer's John Logue is not so much interested in knowing the details of Paquin's Chloe, because he just wants to get to Canada. Sure, he is attracted to her, but then again, what guy wouldn't be? But, it's more of an attraction because he doesn't know anything about her. If he knew the truth, would he still want to be with her? Well, he finds out the truth later in the film, when things are going south, and part of his self-discovery leads him back to Chloe.
The interesting thing about the end result of this road trip film is that their identity discovery within themselves, each character, is steeped in their ability to identify themselves as Americans (again). I guess the film seems outdated, already, because of its specificity, time-wise, as well as the audience it was trying to reach. John Logue is quite anti-Bush, but does that make him unAmerican?
Sure, it goes through the road trip and romantic comedy cliches at times, but ultimately it works in getting the characters where they need to be, both physically and mentally.
The part that was hard for me to swallow, because it didn't seem to really help the film progress, and it felt almost like stepping on an unnecessary landmine in the middle of the film, is the brief, pit-stop Chloe and John take at his parents' house. It seemed to only be looking for sympathy in regards to the explanation of how John got to be the way he is, politically speaking, I guess.
Breckin Meyer is a decent actor, when given the right material and Anna Paquin could've done better. Together, they aren't very believable as the romantic comedy couple that needs to find each other again, by the end of the film. I didn't really care if they were together.
............................................................................
Film 179
"Tape"
starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Robert Sean Leonard
directed by: Richard Linklater
The film "Tape" is unbelievably great! Alert: I may be slightly biased. I love Richard Linklater films. I love Ethan Hawke in Richard Linklater films. And I love Uma Thurman, period.
This is a film based on a play, and the way Linklater directs it, you almost feel up on stage with these three actors, the way the camera works in and out of scenes. Sometimes extremely close up. Sometimes far enough away from the actors to pan the hotel room they are in for you to realize they have nowhere to go. They are stuck with each other. And a lot happens within the confines of these four walls, as well as within the 86 minutes the film runs. It's heavy and it's loaded. It's contents could happen in real life between three real people and that's why I love it (and similar films). It plays out like something that could happen between real old high school acquaintances. It's all talk, first between Hawke and Leonard, then for the last 30 minutes or so, Thurman's character enters to add more spice to the already heated up discussion.
And what are they discussing? Ethan Hawke's Vince wants to get to the bottom of something that happened 10 years ago between his first girlfriend (Thurman) and his supposed best friend (Leonard). Vince wholeheartedly believes that something shady went down between Johnny (Leonard) and Amy (Thurman). Johnny raped Amy. Vince believes this and he makes it his duty to have Johnny not only believe it, too, but also admit it. And then, he wants Johnny to apologize to Amy, whom Vince clearly still hands a candle for (but don't we all, for our first loves?). The trouble with Vince is that he hasn't grown up since high school. He is still that same dude. Johnny and Amy have clearly moved on, even when Amy shows up and things are revealed and aired out, they are clearly adults now.
The conversation(s) these three people have are very similar to dialogue you would expect to hear in a Neil LaBute or even better, David Mamet play. And that's what makes it great, because even though there is a clear homage to those playwrights, it stands alone, as a masterpiece of language and human interaction.
Ethan Hawke is great as a drunk, coked up dude who just wants to stay in his "glory days" and also it would help to get the girl of his dreams back, especially since they never had sex and he is completely mystified by that fact. So, he lives in his head, and that's a terrible place to be, if your Vince (well, really, if you're anyone). The made-up reality in our minds is always worse than the actual reality.
Robert Sean Leonard plays Johnny with a bravado and confidence that helps him survive Vince's interrogation in the small hotel room. Johnny is smart and accomplished. The complete opposite of Vince, and it's clear that he probably was the same way in high school, so when Amy went to Johnny after breaking up with Vince, you can see why. And Amy makes that clear to Vince, especially, when she shows up. She wishes Vince would've grown up, lived up to any potential she may have believed him to have. Johnny gets worn down by Vince's interrogation and finally admits that yes, he probably raped Amy. Vince is relieved and happy because he gets this confession on tape (hence the title). But, the moral dilemma, once Amy shows up, is who does the tape belong to: Sure, Vince bought it, but it has Johnny's memories on it, and it involves Amy's past doings, too. Who does the past belong to? Each individual has their own interpretation of the same past event. And who gets to say what it means? Each person certainly has provided their own meaning to it all. I absolutely love films like this, films that present moral dilemmas, because they are not as easily fixable as "normal" conflicts. You cannot rebuild something like this. It makes you question and think about things, yourself.
When I write my own stories, I always find it easier to stay within the confines of one particular moment, or scene, with few characters because I enjoy the tension that comes with it. Perhaps I should attempt writing a play.
I definitely recommend this tension-filled film. Then, go watch Linklater's other films. They are just as enjoyable.
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