This film is about sex. Not in the sense that Hollywood films are about sex. This film actually deals with relationships and the consequences of one's sexuality in relating to others, be it parents, siblings, friends, etc. Watching this film reminded me of Lauren Winner's book called Real Sex. I read it a couple of weeks ago and seems relevant to the dialogue and discussion this film is engaged in. The story for this film came from two college friends David Gordon Green and Paul Schneider (who plays the lead). The film is somewhat a response to the unrealistic portrayal of relationships in most films. This film takes place in a down to earth southern town with authentic characters. Both funny and serious, the story involves the struggle to understand how relationships hurt us, and how they are dependent on risking trust and love that we often don't want to be involved with. One of the most realistic films I've seen in a while. (Thank you Paul for the recommendation)
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Sometimes I worry that I've lost the plot. My twitchin' muscles tease my flippant thoughts. I never really dreamed of heaven much until we put him in the ground, but it's all I'm doing now - listening for patterns in the sound of an endless static sea. ~ Conor Oberst
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We are lonesome animals. We spend all of our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say-and to feel- ‘Yes, that is the way it is, or at least that is the way I feel it.’ You’re not as alone as you thought. —John Steinbeck
2 comments:
I couldn't agree more. This movie is such a beautiful, multi-faceted exploration of love and sex and growing up.
The commentary on the disc is great as well and worth a listen. Green and Schneider talk about the depcition of sex in movies and in pornography and how deceptive it really is. They talk about how sex between two people in love is beautiful for those people in the moment, but as soon as you introduce a third voyeuristic party it becomes this awkward ugly thing, so that is how they feel sex should be portrayed on screen.
I also love how this movie shows love as being worthwhile and important but not something that can save you. I love romantic movies that can give you taste of the beauty and euphoria of love but also have the wisdom to realize that romantic love can be dangerous and destructive as well.
This film is not that well known, but I hope that in 30 years critics look back on it as an important piece of work. This is one of my favorite movies ever.
Glad to see that you enjoyed it. And if you did, you might check out Green's directorial debut, "George Washington," which is also a magnificent film in my eyes.
Much like Evan above, the play on love being looked at as a form of (unreal) saving is one that is underdeveloped in most romances, save for perhaps Eternal Sunshine and some other semi-indie films. That is one of this film's strengths, as well as the monumental cinematography and development of the characters, which feels pretty darn true throughout, (save for maybe Zooey's refusal to leave the town at the end). But even this refusal to leave can be argued for.
Paul
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