Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
This guy really, really liked this movie. I admit, he’s got me curious now.
I was not a fan of Tim Blake Nelson's "O". Its not that I don't enjoy the story Othello. It's also not that I dislike modern retellings, Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo and Juliet" was fantastic in my opinion. Rather, I found the script weak, the characters 1 dimensional and the overall point of the movie to be A. Never fully brought out and B. Not worth BRINGING out in the context of this film.
So I entered the theater to see his latest offering, "The Grey Zone." I told you how I felt about "O" because I wasn't cheering for his new film. Nelson seems like a very talented guy. He was hilarious in "O Brother" and is a screenwriter/director/actor/editor, not something you come by often these days. So with my expectations low I walked into "The Grey Zone."
At this point, I haven't seen a better film this year. Keep in mind, the year is halfway over...but if there is something better then this on the way, I can't wait. Now, I know that's quite a statement, since many will probably yell "PLANT!" But oh well, the lower your expectations the more you will enjoy this film. To give you a brief synopsis, the film is about members of the Sonderkomando. These are Jews that did the dirty work. Throwing bodies in the furnace, unloading prisoners and leading them to showers, etc. These are some of the worst jobs imaginable, but they do them. Why? Because of the prospect of life. By doing what the Nazi's don't want to do, you have a better chance of survival.
To give away what happens would be a disservice to the film. The less you know, the less prepared you will be. This is an event that is shocking, brutal...and true. Nelson has made a film of true vision. As much as I admired "Schindlers List" I thought Spielberg overdid some parts of it, making them more "dramatic" then they needed to be. Nelson doesn't do that. He shows what really happens, and doesn't pull any punches in doing so. Perhaps the thing that makes it the most harrowing is how believable the characters are. When watching, you don't see a prisoner. This could be your dad, your brother, or you doing these horrible things. This is what makes the film resonate. Would I be able to do the things that they have to do? And believe me, the unloading and throwing of bodies is just the tip of the iceberg.
Of course, if a film like this is to be successful, you need actors that can pull it off. Lets start with the most surprising of these, and that is David Arquette. I always enjoyed Arquette, sure, he acts like an idiot, but he was harmless and could always make me laugh. That's not to say I enjoyed his films...that's a different story altogether. This isn't the Arquette that you've seen in "See Spot Run", "Scream" or "Eight Legged Freaks." Arquette is a marvel. His performance is perfectly calm and understated. He's in Auschwitz, this isn't a time for celebration, and he shows this. He made me forget about the other career choices he has done, and proved that he can actually act. His role is essential in the film, and he nailed it. From the way he looks, to the way he talks, to how he moves...its perfect. However, the showcase here would be Mira Sorvino. When Burstyn lost the Academy Award to Julia Roberts, it was one of the most heinous crimes every committed by the Academy. Now, its redemption time. If she doesn't win the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award.....I'm not sure what I'll do...YET. But I assure you, it won't be pretty. This is a total transformation. I didn't know it was her until the end credits rolled. She's amazing beautiful, yet in the film, you seen none of that. This is someone fighting for her life, that has seen things nobody should see, and her eyes show that. Her performance is one you dream about. She is beyond perfect. Words fail to describe how amazing she is in this movie. These two roles are what make this film. These aren't actors just reading their lines...this is much more. When every movement, every gesture, and every word they speak seem utterly perfect, in my opinion, that's more then just reading lines. The rest of the cast is very good, however, those 2 roles are the ones you will remember.
This film opens in limited release in October. I can't urge you enough to go out and see it. "Life is Beautiful" was the last film that had that profound of an effect on me. Where the audience just melts away...you are no longer worrying about what time it is or what to have for dinner, you are completely absorbed. This film did that to me. The startling realization when the credits roll that it was...only a movie. Find this movie, its the best film of the year right now, and will be tough to beat, no matter what Spielberg, Shyamalan, Jonze, Jackson and Anderson have planned for us in the next 5 months. This is a movie that has something to say, and it boldly says it. In this day and age, that's something to stand up and cheer about.
~Razzberry Jamm
Strong words, indeed. At the end of the year, it’ll be interesting to see how this one resonates for viewers. I really want a peek at it now.
"Moriarty" out.
