I just don't get how anyone can legitimately believe that this is one of the best films ever. It's not the worst by any means, but...it's down there. I want to understand. Is there something I'm missing? Are you all just the best trolls of all time? An unspoken Ghost Dog brotherhood? And I don't think Jarmusch is a bad filmmaker either. Broken Flowers is a great film. I want to understand the way of the samurai...
shareWhy can't you believe that someone may think this is a great film? You haven't said why it isn't one. If the film wasn't to your taste, why do you need to understand somebody else's?
"Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way."
I enjoy being able to understand why someone else can appreciate a work of art because then I can hopefully begin to appreciate it myself. I can completely believe that someone thinks this is a great film. I didn't think so, but I feel like I missed something. Perhaps my initial comment was too sarcastic, but I meant it sincerely. Why do you think this is a great film?
shareOkay. Well, I'm not sure it's a great film. I gave it 8/10 but it's bordering on a 7/10. I think it's greatest asset is it's poetic depiction of men/organisations becoming outdated, and the impermanence of things, as each generation is replaced by different ideals and moral uncertainties. (At least, that's how I saw it).
"Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way."
Interesting. I can definitely see that. My main problem with the film is that the symbolism became too overt and heavyhanded. I agree that a film viewer should have to put some work into interpreting a film, but lots of Jarmusch's choices seem arbitrary. For instance, Ghost Dog's encounter with the dog in the alley. The scene, as I remember it, is a full 1 or 2 minutes, but it consists solely of Ghost Dog walking by, basically having a staring contest with the dog, and walking away. The scene just felt inconsistent with the rest of the film, and I feel like lots of the scenes have this jarring tone. Especially the bear hunter scene. That was much too on-the-nose and disrupted the flow, but perhaps that was Jarmusch's intent? Maybe I just didn't get into the unique tangential scenes that are in the film and that's why I didn't see its appeal, however, I do appreciate the film's subtle humor.
shareI suppose that off-kilter tone appeals to me. That's why I like Jarmusch films. The dog is very important, so it seems fitting that the scene lingers for some time. I found the bear scene both amusing and disturbing. Yes, it certainly disrupted the flow, but I think that's a good thing. This was the first moment when I really questioned his moral code.
"Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way."
In my opinion, this film a great entertainment even without understanding the 'higher meaning'. It's just a well made, well shot, well put together movie with plenty of comedy, drama, and action. The comedy value alone make worth watching this movie.
While there is plenty to dig for in this movie to be able to make later additional connections and 'discoveries', this is no "Mulholland Drive". I think the main theme here is really simple. I had another post on what I think about it:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165798/board/thread/211782104
Of course, the passages from Ghost Dog's book are a huge hint. They clearly give a meaning to pretty much everything that Ghost Dog does. The movie wouldn't make as much sense without them. I don't think there is really a significantly higher meaning to this movie than that. Just start with the first exert, which talks about the way of Samurai is that of being effectively dead, and therefore preparing for one's death every moment.
I'm a Jim Jarmusch fan and i can't stand this film it's like you said not the worst but it's really bad, my best friend nearly kicked my ass when i took him to watch it in the theater he was so mad that i had to buy him some beers in order to forget how *beep* up the movie was
I Palestine
I'm a Jim Jarmusch fan and i can't stand this film it's like you said not the worst but it's really bad, my best friend nearly kicked my ass when i took him to watch it in the theater he was so mad that i had to buy him some beers in order to forget how *beep* up the movie was
I think this is a very legitimate question-asked respectfully. I don't see why anyone would be annoyed or offended by it. Unfortunately, I can't answer-I enjoyed the film but would not list it as one of my favorites. In particular, I was interested in the quotes from "Hagakure" and how they fit into the storyline. I am a big fan of Forrest Whitaker and found his performance elusive and intriguing. I'm always curious about what people think about long after they've seen a film-what resonated with them. For me, it was the quotes from the book and Forrest's performance. I still think about those quotes and until today I hadn't seen the film in a few years. I also thought the mob guys were hysterical.
I wish people weren't so quick to put down other posters - it's such a drag. At least the guy came back and answered your question respectfully. Anonymity seems to bring out the worst in some people.
Everyone is different, i like it cause im a big hiphop head amongst many other things and it just fits me :)
sharetry watching it again really stoned.... all the best films should be watched really stoned imo
shareIt has poetic sense that doesn`t actually boost "gangsta feelin" - it has code of warrior, valor, tradition included. As well as nice excerpts from poetry. Some scenes, like Ghost Dog talking to a ice cream man (actually the way they interact), or when mob bosses discuss need to kill him in name of their family tradition (and way how they see minorities) or little awkward moment when they encounter Native American on roof top have both comedy but crosscultural value. Moments like inner meditations, pigeons flying, looking at the dog certainly hold great artistic value. Its all something you don`t often encouter in basically an action movie (maybe parts in Tarantinos but compare it to average Holywood).
So its more kind of "surrealistic" "retro" action movie, kind of 50s style mob movie warped in time to about 1999 - when all gangsters are really old (remember the old guy that repeats everything :-) and where all of them vanish just because they keep to the tradition. Even it has loopholes and dragging A to B plot without twist, it has a meaning. A lot more meaning then e.g. Robocop remake where his human vs robot inner fight is removed to boost action scenes using CGI.
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