Others, in fact many others, have commented on the perfect casting, great acting, rural scenery and hometown sets and the appropriate use of violence and brief nudity. They are all right but here are some other things to look for.
***** Spoilers Follow***** This is a Second Amendment movie - perhaps unintentionally - but the private ownership of firearms (and not handguns) allow a family to defend itself and allow a son to save his father's life. Also it shows that a familiarity with firearms allows Tom to defend the diner and his family and himself and an unfamiliarity with firearms almost keeps the wife from defending the home - she never cocks the hammers and can barely get it loaded.
There have been several movies about "cop gets family killed and goes on rampage" from Mad Max, The Punisher and, sort of, Man on Fire. We are supposed to cheer or at least sympathize with the Vigilante bent on honest and well founded revenge. But this one of the first that leaves the vulnerable family as an additional worry for the vigilante/revenge guy to factor in.
Ivan Reitman speaks about "casual nudity" in the 1980's when Stripes was filmed (watch DVD commentary) and questions appear about the need for the full frontal. I see this as the wife's way of showing Tom what he will be missing as she goes to another bedroom and shuts the door. The director teases more than shows in earlier scenes and that is all appropriate.
Others comment on the closing scene and this is an "A implies B" scene where the daughter accepts daddy's return, then the son accepts daddy's return and the next logical step is mommy accepting daddy's return. You do not need to hit the audience over the head with it - except of course for those that demand to be spoon fed.
There are the timeless values of Love conquers all, violence must be used to meet violence, good wins over evil, a person can repent their sins and be born again, family is the most important thing in your life, Like father - like son (as to be pushed over the edge), etc.
I did not like the gratuitous drug use (joint smoked on main street) and there was a couple that brought a 2 year old to the theater which should almost require a call to DCF.
However, it was great to see cinematography as art with scenes that just fill the senses. Once again Canada poses as rural America (Superman, Marlow - the HBO series, etc.) See it without your children.
***** Spoilers Follow***** This is a Second Amendment movie - perhaps unintentionally - but the private ownership of firearms (and not handguns) allow a family to defend itself and allow a son to save his father's life. Also it shows that a familiarity with firearms allows Tom to defend the diner and his family and himself and an unfamiliarity with firearms almost keeps the wife from defending the home - she never cocks the hammers and can barely get it loaded.
There have been several movies about "cop gets family killed and goes on rampage" from Mad Max, The Punisher and, sort of, Man on Fire. We are supposed to cheer or at least sympathize with the Vigilante bent on honest and well founded revenge. But this one of the first that leaves the vulnerable family as an additional worry for the vigilante/revenge guy to factor in.
Ivan Reitman speaks about "casual nudity" in the 1980's when Stripes was filmed (watch DVD commentary) and questions appear about the need for the full frontal. I see this as the wife's way of showing Tom what he will be missing as she goes to another bedroom and shuts the door. The director teases more than shows in earlier scenes and that is all appropriate.
Others comment on the closing scene and this is an "A implies B" scene where the daughter accepts daddy's return, then the son accepts daddy's return and the next logical step is mommy accepting daddy's return. You do not need to hit the audience over the head with it - except of course for those that demand to be spoon fed.
There are the timeless values of Love conquers all, violence must be used to meet violence, good wins over evil, a person can repent their sins and be born again, family is the most important thing in your life, Like father - like son (as to be pushed over the edge), etc.
I did not like the gratuitous drug use (joint smoked on main street) and there was a couple that brought a 2 year old to the theater which should almost require a call to DCF.
However, it was great to see cinematography as art with scenes that just fill the senses. Once again Canada poses as rural America (Superman, Marlow - the HBO series, etc.) See it without your children.
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