We watched two movies over the extended weekend; two very different movies.
Under the Tuscan Sun was rented mostly as a light romantic time-passer to knit by. It fulfilled those expectations with its predictable, romantic comedy aspirations, stereotypical settings and story, and sappy expectations. I knitted. The movie was mildly entertaining, primarily because of Diane Lane, who rescued the film from groveling in a swamp of cliche. Despite these words I enjoyed watching it, once.
G and I watched Munich last night. This was a different kettle of fish, very thought provoking and disturbing film but not a great film. Still we had to indulge in a glass of brandy and some light nonsense (HGTV) before toddling off to bed. There have been far too many reviews for me to add anything here. The movie was effective in getting one to at least think about Spielberg’s message. The rather unsophisticated cinematography and lack of subtlety was probably more effective in getting one to think about what was going on that would be true in a more polished looking film. At the same time, the lack of subtlety, was rather annoying in its insistence that you “get the message”.
Still, I enjoyed Munich, if one can truly say that one enjoys watching a movie that at times made one squirm. But then I like watching things that make me think, even if they make me think about subjects I would prefer not to think about.
Is violence, even justified violence, useless? Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy! Is everyone caught in a web from which there is no escape? Probably true. Is it avoidable? Well, of this I am not so sure. This seems to be one of the essential traps and flaws of human nature.