Movie Thoughts: Kong and Mountain

This week I saw two new movies, both of which I greatly enjoyed, though in entirely different ways.

King Kong was amazing. I think that Peter Jackson did an amazing job bringing new life into the classic film while keeping true to the story. Some people said that it was "overdone," and maybe that's why I liked it, but I felt that it was just right. The fight scenes were the most realistic I had ever seen. They were very feral, lacking some of the "choreography" that is so often present when animals fight. This was fast and brutal kill or be killed, and I thought that made it highly realistic. Kong also was obviously a veteran of such fights, sporting scars all over his body. I thought that the actress did well (her name currently escapes me) and the facial expressions of Kong along with her skill definitely added a level of emotion to the otherwise action-packed film.

Of course emotion overflowed in Brokeback Mountain.I went to St. Louis to see it as part of a PROMO fundraiser (and because it won't be released in KC until January 6th), and was a bit disappointed in the theatre, but I think the film made up for it. Throughout the movie I struggled some, because I put so much stock into a film's dialogue. What I realized was that this movie was all about what wasn't said. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger do a phenomenal job, in very challenging roles, and they are well supported by Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams.

I left the movie feeling down, and somewhat unsatisfied. I was definitely cognizant of the deep sadness that was present, but it wasn't until later, I realized what an impact there was. All night my mind kept drifting back to various parts of the film, reliving the story, and seeing more and more of what was there that I missed while listening to the words that were spoken. During the show, many people around me were crying, and though I often cry at emotional scenes, I didn't feel like I was hit in the same way. Having now attained a deeper sense of what was present in the film, I have a feeling that I will ball like a baby when I watch it again.

I also noticed an age difference in the level of emotion. Older guys that I was with definitely seemed to grasp the subtly a lot faster than a lot of the younger guys. I think part of that came with the fact that many of them lived through situations that were very similar, whereas a lot of the younger generation has not. Oh... I realize that unlike King Kong, many people may not know what this movie is. Well here's the gist. It is a love story that spans 20 years between the two lead men, showing them as they first meet and fall in love (though they deny it) and then follows through with them struggling through the next two decades with their wives and their unspoken need for one another.

As far as love stories go, this one was somewhat of an anomaly, and for more than just the "gay factor." For one, it was not romantic. They both (though one more than the other) felt that what they had was dark and dangerous, and so it was only through violent rents in their self control that they are able to express their feelings, and more often than not, those expressions are never seen by the one they truly love. The tender moments are so few, at first it seems to be a failing in the movie, but by the end, you have learned to treasure those instances all the more.

I am afraid that I will give more away if I talk much more, but suffice to say, I was deeply moved by this film, and I have a feeling it will only affect me more so with repeat viewings. It also reaffirmed my believe and conviction that leaving things unsaid and not pursuing what lies in your heart will destroy you and those you love. What I would give to see a world where that is not so common as it is today.

*Note the Brokeback Mountain website has a forum where people can share their thoughts... I have only read a couple and already I want to cry. Some people endure so much...