I think that what this film did like no other was get the vibe of what it is like to be scared around a dangerous person. It takes some of the glitz and glamour from criminality and puts a strong focus on the psychology of who you deal with in that world.
The focus on psychology also tributes the remarkable talent of almost every actor in the movie.
very well said. i like your focus on the psychology of this film. i think it's more nuanced than the guy ritchie or other ones. it's very stylized, and very unique. i think the FEEL of this movie is the strength of it.
i think most of the complaints of people (myself included b/c i have criticised it in other threads) are due to the slower pace and the more inferential delivery of the story points. they are more inner, more introspective, VS being flat out externally acknowledged. this makes it somewhat annoying (the pace, and the inner feel) to most people in movie land.
as i said, i think the strength of this film is in its style. the cinematography, the cutting (like the double convo), the use music, etc
it's a fun ride, sortof, but it does lack larger themes and payoff which most cinema goers demand now. so perhaps this is why it is marginalised here a lot.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2dKNeLqNas
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jimmccafferty1975
12 years ago
In my mind - this film stands out as being unique and memorable without comparisons being required to other films in the genre.
The great thing about it for me is Ray Winstone's character - from the first few minutes of the film I can sympathise with his character - lying on a sunbed in his own personal villa in his mid forties (though I imagine it would get a tad boring after a while). Dinner parties and very few personal crises apart from the expanding waist line.
So what's the worst type of personality to introduce into this environment? As alluded to above, the Ben Kingsley psychopath ("No, no, no, no, no" will always be one of my top movie quotes ever).
For me, the interesting psychological aspect of the movie is the price Gil has to pay in order for his life to return to normal. The gangster's lifestyle now forgotten, has to be revisited in order to continue the peaceful tranquility he has become accustomed to.
In many respects, Ian McShane's character is more devastating. While Kingsley can be placated or agitated from single conversations, McShane is the cold blooded snake representing the underbelly of the gangster fraternity.
When the Kingsley situation comes to a head, it is resolved with a single violent confrontation. The scene at the bus stop is far more chilling - because the wrong answer would imply death. McShane is the embodiment of Gil's old universe - and if he wants to leave he has to be psychologically tested.
The final judgement - that Gil is considered irrelevant to the crime syndicate because Kingsley is considered irrelevant is also a chilling relevation - and is probably a truer picture of the lifestyle than the stylish portrayals by other directors.
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LTUM
12 years ago
nice points
i also thought mcshane was thoroughly more foreboding than kingsley. he seemed relentless, and kindof omniscient. ...as if we could 'feel' him reading gal's mind. and there was a self-assuredness to accompany mcshane's sinister-ness, as if he KNEW he could go lights out with anyone he chose at any time. a quiet strength, power.
that dude definitely was the bigger gangster. i took kingsley as a loud mouth
"rage to exist..." http://tinyurl.com/c9ush3z
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nutsberryfarm
12 years ago
classic! great take. [yes[
His name...was Julio Iglesias!
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12 years ago
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Pequod88
12 years ago
While Gal was not crucial to the operation, he was trustworthy. You’re correct that Don’s main motivation for choosing Gal is so that he has an excuse to see Jackie again. In the bar, Don tells Gal about having had sex with Jackie: “I quite liked her." Later, as we see Don shaving, he rebukes himself for revealing personal information. When Gal calls him on his real reason for coming to Spain, Don becomes quite angry and asks Gal to get him a taxi to take him to the airport.
Gal is adamant about not taking part because he loves Deedee with all his heart. He is blissfully happy in retirement and will not risk this for one more payday. He had done a stretch in jail: “No risk? Nine years of my life. No risk?” He is wise not to trust Don’s assessment of the risk. He is also wise to recognize that saying no to Don is a risky response. The magnificent scene at the restaurant reveals that everyone at the table is aware of how dangerous Don is. Still, none expect Don to resort to murder if Gal says no.
Don says that he has told “them” that Gal is doing it, and not to show him up. While it is true that Teddy (played by the wonderful Ian McShane) is more dangerous than Don, I don’t believe he cares who participates in the job, so long as they are reliable and trustworthy.
Gal is smart to say no. We see the good life he has in retirement. We see his love of his wife. Again, the restaurant scene gets to the heart of why Gal wants no part of putting at risk the good life he has obtained against the odds. And, of course, if Gal says yes he not a sympathetic character wishing to remain with wife and friends, he is a dumb, greedy ex-con who would risk all for one more payday. This would make him a much less interesting protagonist, in my opinion.
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