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I watched a very odd film yesterday called Badlands. It's one of Terrence Malick's earlier films, and I really liked it. Initially, I didn't think I would because Terrence Malick's films tend to... progress slowly (think The Thin Red Line or The New World). Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy his films. I love the way he composes and frames his shots and his use of natural light. It's just that sometimes, they're a little hard to get through. Anyway, Badlands. It stars a very young Martin Sheen (Kit) who's a James Dean wannabe--he's got the hair, the jeans, the shirt, everything--and a young Sissy Spacek (Holly). He was 25, she was 15. They fell in love and then she watched him go on a killing spree. I know, right? (It's based loosely off of the Starkweather/Fugate murders.) I say the film is odd, or more so off, because there's this strange innocence that swirls around the two. There's this certain ambivalence, I guess. I mean, Holly just watched it all happen, kind like us, the viewers. It just... happened. I really can't describe it any other way. The dialogue made laugh many a time throughout the film because the things they said didn't relate to anything. They were carrying on as normal despite whatever was going on. Example: after Kit killed someone, he brings a toaster into the kitchen and says to Holly, "I found your toaster." You would think it's random but it's not. It just adds to that strange innocence. And the bravado and calmness of Kit through everything is a little unsettling but at the same time, you find yourself sympathizing with him? It's that weird contradicting of emotions. I could go on trying to write what's running through my mind but I think you guys should watch the film. You'll know what I mean once you see it. No TrackBacksTrackBack URL: http://www.toastier.org/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/66 |
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Hi, my name is Amy. Be well, and say hello!
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