*may contain a spoiler.
Unknown, unappreciated, not advertised enough ? Whatever the reason you haven't seen this ... "event" of a film, whatever the reason you have not heard of this ... "genius-a-term-not enough to describe" film, do yourself a favor. Drift into a mind state of curiosity and see this film.
Then, wait a few years and watch it again. Then again in a few years. But I digress.
It is improbable that anyone can construct such a thing out of scenes of almost comically basic, glorious simplicity. The cinematography is flawless and it blends in with the pacing, directing and writing of this beautiful screenplay. Yet sometimes the cinematography will dissent from the structure and go on it's own - for a few moments at a time. A camera shot will unexpectedly take a life of it's own. A background object suddenly reveals a truth about what's happening at the foreground. There are times when there is music, there are times when all you hear are the sounds of footsteps, the sounds of nature. When you hear the sound of a gunshot, it is a brutal gunshot. This is no amateur hour - these characters have no flaws at how they do what they do. They have no weaknesses of technique. They have weaknesses of mind only. Weaknesses cloaked under veneers of comedy, insanity, aggression, contemplation or simply weaknesses of human nature.
The story is deceptive, as is life. Yet the importance of each step of the hero's epic journey, each strike of the hand, each lift of the sword, each parry, each glance and each and everything shown on screen by the director - has volumes worth of meaning. It is rich in symbolism beyond belief not just because of the quality of the metaphors, but also because of how often they appear. There is a sort of a logical succession in the way in which they appear - thus creating their own little parallel stories along the way. Glance away from the screen and you will have missed something. Rewind it and you will have seen something you didn't notice a minute ago while you watched the same scene.
The actors who are responsible for several of the most memorable characters i have ever seen, are not really acting. They are in a state of higher being. Not for a moment are they forcing. It's hard to believe they are even working off a script. The dialog is delivered in a way I haven't heard before. At first it sounds like dubious acting, a little sketchy, but then you see that there is logic to it. Bad acting has no logic. Thus, believe me. The acting is perfect. There is no excess. There is comedy in the simplest glance or turn of the hand, the script is witty when it is supposed to relieve the gargantuan tension that is built up thus far, but when it's supposed to blow your mind away with the force and power of a half-deity - it does better than any final battle of any superhero blockbuster. It just hits the viewer in a different way.
When the fight scenes shine, combatants dance in a euphoric way without any of the endless excess of battles and choreography in films like Hero. There really isn't a choreography here - it feels as if the actors are coming up with the moves on the spot. The cherry on top is the commentary after each battle by the old Master. It is reflective beyond any scene in a psychiatrist office. It is a shame of course that you have not heard of this film. It is possible you will never see this film. It is possible that a better film will be made in the future - perhaps a better film has been made in the past!
But if you are looking for a higher experience, a luxurious experience from a genius director who can create all of this simply by having two people fight on a beach (really, it is that simple most of the time) , or someone holding on to a gas mask in a frightening, yet disarmingly emphatic way, or just the sounds of the ocean. It's very simple. Yet the amount of underlying content is absolutely mesmerizing. The secret of this film is of course, the little things. Little actions, little looks, little strikes - and then ... you are shocked every step of the way.
But, and here is what's most important, the purpose of it all is not trivial. It's not a hero trying to slay an evil monster, it's not a hero trying to carve a bloody empire by wiping off the local map with his cavalry. It's about inspiration. It's about uplifting the human spirit, as opposed to destroying it. You see this in every strike - they are gentle, merciful strikes. They seek to uplift rather than break. They become almost God-like in their wrath when the euphoria truly unleashes itself on screen - it is a victory which does not shame the defeated, but a victory which cleanses them. If they deserve it, that is. If they are worthy.
See this film and have your friends see it, even if you don't like it. It's okay if you hate it. I don't care how you feel about it. I care that you see it. Give it the respect it deserves. Honor a director who cares. So hopefully, more directors will be inspired to make movies like this.
SEE. THIS. FILM.
p.s : People who rated this are not functioning right. You give it a 5.6? You didn't laugh at least a little at the hilarious reference to a famous Dustin Hoffman movie? You're crazy! See it.
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