I saw the film yesterday and really enjoyed it. I think it's one of
Martin Scorsese's most successful films in years, fresher than CASINO,
and more consistent and less over-produced than GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE
AGE OF INNOCENCE and THE AVIATOR. As to the acting, I have to say I
dreaded the idea of watching another performance by Jack Nicholson who
often mugs mercilessly (I'm thinking AS GOOD AS IT GETS and SOMETHING'S
GOTTA GIVE). I must say, in this film, his performance is more or
less, delicious and pretty much in keeping with the tone of the film.
I also felt Leonardo DiCaprio was terrific and Matt Damon showed some
real range as a truly villainous sociopath. The portrayal of the
police shrink (Vera Farmiga) was a weak point in the film but the
character is important, albeit somewhat convenient, to the moral
premise of the film.
As to the much discussed anti-gay (i.e. homophobic) aspect of the film,
I felt this was much in keeping with the characters portrayed. All of
the main figures spout homophobic remarks -- every male character being
put down is derided as either "a fag" or "a homo." As the film is a
depiction of machismo and male heterosexual insecurity, the first
recourse of any of these characters, including the "good guy" is to
call another male "a fag." That's the reality of the heterosexual male
animal. Recently, I posted a comment on Craig's List (along with a
number of other San Francisco Bay Area individuals) criticizing the
city's hosting of Navy Fleet Week and the Blue Angels air show flying
over the city each afternoon this weekend. Without fail, every macho,
militarist respondent referred to the original poster as "a fag" or "a
San Francisco homo" regardless of whether the the initial posting was
written by a woman, a dove, a gay, or a straight. So even in this
bastion of liberalism, homophobia is "choice one" when it comes to
name-calling especially when the macho spirit is rattled!
Channing Thomson in San Francisco
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
