The Movie Club - Week #6: Children of Men (Vivi22's Pick)
Who wants to start a movie club? I know we have a "last movie you watched thread" but maybe we could organize a once-a-week movie to watch and report back on?
Idea: We take turns choosing the film in order of having joined the club. Once we reach the end of the turns list, we start over in turns of members except in case of someone new joining - then they get to cut.
Yes/No?
Member List:
1. Shorty - Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. Jinx - Starship Troopers
3. Pantz - Network
4. Calliope - Boy
5. Nicolas - Waking Life
6. Vivi22 - Children of Men
7. Denmark
8. Tasura
9. Formalhaut
10. ZonkoTony
11. Spuuky
12. Mercen-X
13. Del Murder
14. Loony BoB
15. Elite Lord Sigma
16. Araciel
17. noxious.sunshine
18. Shiny
19. Shauna
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
This post may contain mild spoilers or may not, and I don't really care, so read it at your own peril. Can you even spoil a movie like this?
This movie is really a reflection of a couple of things that are exceedingly prevalent in American cinema. It isn't a perfect, straightforward example of it, like Die Hard might be, but it's up there. Americans, as shown by their movies, care about a few things in particular more than other cultures do:
1. Individualism is Best
2. Government Conspiracies/Laws and Bureacracy Are Bad
3. Underdogs Must Win
Now, other cultures can certainly care about these things also; some care about particular elements a lot. But in American movies in particular, these are HIGHLY dominant traits, especially and most obviously in action films. Indiana Jones basically hits the nail(s) on the head here.
First off, he's clearly "in it for himself." He works alone, he's not part of some team, and he's trying to find things for his personal enrichment (in his case in particular, mostly knowledge). He isn't trying to achieve a greater good for society in particular. He's unique, non-conformist, and a Solo Badass Hero like so many others in movies.
Second, like most action heroes, rules and regulations don't apply to him; he needs to fight through the red tape to just do what's right, and the Government (almost always the Government) which should be on his side in the fight against the Nazis exists only to slow him down, and box up his Ark. One of the iconic lines of the movie ("Top Men") is a pretty clear and direct indication of the role of Government in this movie and most other American films; it purportedly exists to "help," but in practice it's a giant sinister shadow organization that is probably evil itself and just wants to hinder the Heroic Individual.
Third, most obviously, he's a constant underdog, having to fight off or escape large groups of better-armed people at all times. This one really needs no explanation, but it's worth noting that not all cultures care so much about the lesser, weaker force winning.
And there are guns and fists and stuff, too.
it's not the years, it's the mileage
I'd like to echo the importance of the opening scene and how crucial it is for laying out Indy's character for the rest of the film. He's methodical, observant, intelligent and he knows his game. One of my favorite things about the beginning sequence is that you don't immediately see his face. In fact, you don't see his face for a solid three minutes in; he's just sort of this mysterious person in a strange place followed by seemingly confused folks who keep stopping to exchange looks of bewilderment, but Indy has a purpose and he's going to keep going. (The greatness about this bit is that it intrigues the viewer's curiosity about his quest.) The bit with the poison dart is an especially good one because it's a clue to a) an obvious threat of danger and foretelling of what's to come and b) to Indy's character, who doesn't seem to care about the Hovitos from how he inspects the dart and casually drops it. His concern is the idol. Additionally, the manner in which he speaks about Forestall seems to indicate respect for his competitors, which tells us he has atleast some humility and modesty (which, to me, is an important characteristic in relation to the end ark scene).
I love how Brody respectively cuts Indy off when he initially starts wondering if Marion will be with Abner and refocuses him on the problem at hand (the ark). He's so sensible and delightful at the same time, and is a great confidant for Indiana.
On the flip side, the dilemma Indy is put in with revisiting Marion is a genius one. Her character could have been such an awful excuse for a love interest, but the way she's written really made her a catalyst in Indy's quest for the ark. He's forced to revisit a clearly unpleasant past with her in order to ask her for help. I love dilemmas that force protagonists to do something they normally wouldn't do or that they would be reluctant to do in order to further or aid their quest. (Example: Toy Story - Woody being forced to work with Buzz to get back to Andy.) And I love her spunky personality and her short speech about "everybody's sorry". Something I don't think I ever really took in was how after Indy leaves, she pulls out the medallion and looks at it for a minute. She must be taking in how important it is if Indy's come back to see her all this way and after all this time. And she's faced with her own dilemma for a moment with Indy's cash in one hand and the medallion in the other. She must have been holding onto it because of an association with her father; why else would she keep it around her neck? It seems to me that she's almost choosing between Indy and her father at that moment. Also, the following scene with ze German and the bar fight is one of the best and so important, based on the fact that it directly leads to the Germans to start digging in the place they do - all thanks to Herr Mac burning his hand on Marion's medallion - and additionally leads to Marion teaming up with Indy and going to Cairo.
The scene with Indy in the Well of Souls and Marion dining with Belloq is a great one. Earlier in the movie, we see that Indiana has a fear of snakes with Jacque. Additionally, earlier in the movie we see that Marion can drink her weight in liquor, but now she's dining with Indy's archnemises who is very evil indeed. Both of them are in precarious situations they must deal with and I love the fact that these situations are both finely tuned to each of their characters. It could be said that the fact that they find themselves in these situations is a bit foreshadowed in the movie. Indy's is a bit obvious, in any case.
There seems to be a common theme of humility here that I appreciate, and there are a few major points that I notice them. First, with Indy's respect to Forestall, despite the fact that he was a competitor. Second, Indy swallowing his pride and past to visit Marion and ask for her help. Third, the markings on the back of the medallion that indicate humility and offerings to god. Fourth, when Indy threatens to blow up the ark and Belloq eggs him on to do it but he can't. And lastly, of course, the only way in which to survive the ark.
The way they use shadows in this movie is just great. At the beginning, there are a fair few times when they show Indy's silhouette. At the bar, when he greets Marion, and again, when he and Sallah are moving the ark. Nice alternative camerawork to still show what's going on.
The one complaint that I have is how Indy and Marion escape from the Well of Souls. It makes absolutely no sense for the ancient Egyptians to have placed an "escape route" for such a room, especially not one so obvious as to push through a couple of stone blocks and land in a convenient location. "The name derives from a medieval Islamic legend that at this place the spirits of the dead can be heard awaiting Judgment Day at which time the Ka'aba in Mecca will come here and God's throne will be established on the Stone." It makes no sense for them to have another way out. The only way out is through Judgement!
Aside from that, the story is seamless and it flows, the characters are perfectly written, and the music is absolutely amazing and appropriate. One of the greatest movies of all time. Also, arguably the best Disneyland ride. 10/10 for sure.
Shorty trivia: I thought my dad was Indiana Jones when I was a kid because he was an actor and they look obscenely similar. It made for a confusing childhood.
