MovieChat Forums > The Last Picture Show (1971) Discussion > Sad

Sad

posted 8 years ago by slimone (7996)
3 replies | jump to latest

This film was the saddest I've ever seen. A coming of age film? Maybe, but it was gloomy and bleak. The fact that it was filmed in black and white added to it, plus the scenery was grim. Very few people on the streets, the trees had no leaves, there was a constant wind, and Timothy Bottom's face at the end said it all. Of course, the relationships of the kids was a major part of the film, and of course the nudity (surprising) was thrown in for a distraction. I enjoyed the film, but as I wrote it was the saddest film I've seen.

[–] Washingtonnative (2613) 7 years ago

Ain't it the truth.

[–] Wuchak (8850) 6 years ago

Despite some sleaze and wallowing in a dreary pall -- which ties-in to the theme -- the movie conveys many insights about real life and has some genuine warmth. A couple good examples are when father-figure Sam lovingly looks at Sonny and Duane before the two leave for a wild weekend in Mexico and they clearly return the warmth; or the final scene between Sonny and the coach’s wife (Leachman) where Sonny is grieving, but they clasp hands despite her anger, which has faded away because she sees that his grief is the bigger issue. Or how about when Sam forgives an obviously repentant Sonny at the restaurant?

As for the few people on the streets and the constant wind, that's simply the way those remote plains towns are; and the lack of leaves is due to the story taking place over the course of the fall/winter (one sequence involves a Christmas party).

[–] Bolchevik (378) 6 years ago

There was some kind of spleen but all in all it wasnt that sad. Love, friendhisp, loyalty, lots of positive situations. You Don't see it for blindful joy though.