This month, I watched four movies from my film anthology. They were all either from the past three years or… last night, when I watched “The Big Lebowski.” Hence, we commence: the Semi-New and the Dude.
In his writing manifesto, On Writing, Stephen King makes it clear: if you want to be a writer, you need to be a reader. A good writer finds time to read. If you don’t “have time to read,” you’re in the wrong profession. Considering he’s one of the most successful writers of the century, I’m tempted to say he’s right! However, as I am investigating a niche form of writing –screenwriting, specifically– I think there’s room for me to split the difference. If I want to write movies, I should watch them when I can!
I’ve wanted to actually watch those “timeless, classic” films, to really make sure I have the street cred to say I’m a “film buff.” As I’ve stated on previous film watching endeavors, I’m working through the 2019 edition of “1001 Movies to See Before You Die,” an essential anthology for all movie-lovers! My intent this month was to watch movies that I’ve wanted to see from recent years that I didn’t get a chance to see in theaters. No time like the present!
Unfortunately, I hit a bit of a wall: I’ve been meaning to watch Greta Gerwig’s Little Women since… two weeks before it premiered! I’ve set aside time most weekends for the past year to watch it, only to let some other task or pastime (read: hours down a Youtube rabbit hole) take its place. However, I had the fortitude this month. Find it on Amazon, rent it, and enjoy the show!
Yeah. It’s not available on any major platforms for renting. I COULD have bought it for $16, but come on! I’m not THAT desperate. So, as I aim to view four movies from the anthology each month, I had an open spot available.
I went with “The Big Lebowski.” People have sung its praises in my presence so soundly that I’m surprised I haven’t gotten around to it yet! It’s a bit random in the context of the rest of the list, but “that’s showbiz, baby!”
THE SEMI-NEW AND THE DUDE
Saint Maud (2019)
“Maud,” a former ER nurse, has found a new passion for her faith. After a traumatizing experience with a patient, she now works in hospice. She tends to Amanda, a former dancer with terminal cancer. Amanda, knowing the end is near, enjoys passing the time with parties and sex. Maud believes her purpose, through God, is to “save” Amanda. But who is Maud to determine who should be saved?
“Saint Maud” is a thriller with bouts of psychological horror. Similar to “Black Swan,” one can’t help but wonder how much actually happens in reality versus as a hallucination. Maud is desperate, to a fault, to find her purpose. On the surface, she is quiet and passionate. However, a darkness lies within her that lashes out in cruel and violent ways. The film, both in color palette and plot, is bleak. The final moments of the film are thrilling, and the final frame shocking. “Saint Maud” serves as a fascinating character study, and a great gateway to modern horror films.
The Farewell (2019)
Billi, a writer, lives in New York City, not far from her parents. Her parents inform her that her dear grandmother, Nai Nai, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Much to Billi’s shock, the family decides to keep the diagnosis a secret from Nai Nai. Under the guise of her cousin’s wedding, the entire family flies to China to celebrate the marriage, but ultimately enjoy their last moments with Nai Nai.
“The Farewell” broke my heart. Family dynamics seem to be constant fodder for film lately! I like it; we’re more open to talk about family dysfunction with nuance. I feel like in movies, people either have a broken family or a perfect family. Billi’s family differs on many factors, some more touchy than others.
In one particular dinner scene, Billi’s father notes that when they came to America, and went to church for the first time, the pastor, upon hearing their immigration story, told Billi she could come play piano in their church anytime she wanted to practice. The conversation exists as part of a debate on which place is better, America or China. The scene ends with Billi noting that she doesn’t play piano anymore. Several scenes later, she sits at the piano, playing for her family. I won’t spoil the ending, but the final “card” of the film made me bawl. “The Farewell,” ultimately, is about sacrifice and love. What’s more timeless than that?
Joker (2019)
Arthur Fleck lives in the seedy underbelly of a city that has gone to hell. He works as a party clown, making ends meet to care for his ailing mother. He dreams of finding mainstream success as a stand-up comedian. However, not many find him entertaining or funny. However, it’s hard to get a joke out when you have a condition that makes you laugh, constantly, without provocation! Arthur struggles as a mentally unwell, destitute man, with little love and little respect. After one too many pushes, Arthur snaps, becoming the “Clown Prince of Crime” who will terrorize Gotham City for decades to come.
Considering I see every minor inconvenience as a piece of my “villainous backstory,” “Joker” kept me on my toes the whole time. Certainly, knowing the Joker as THE Batman villain, I got maybe two minutes in and thought “Oh, okay. I’m not saying I condone the chaos that follows after this, but I get it.” It’s funny that this movie is an origin story for a comic book villain, because that’s really more of a front. At its core, it’s about the state of health care in our modern society, and how we treat mental disorders and the less fortunate. But Batman!
I was surprised by how much I liked this movie. It made me uncomfortable, but it also gave me a sense of gratitude with a dose of reality. People every day have to deal with the same problem’s Arthur did. Granted, they don’t all go out and cause a chaotic riot in the streets, but costly expenses to stay alive due to a medical condition exist. I also couldn’t help but notice that the movie, which takes place in the eighties, depicts Arthur “slumming it” in a one bedroom apartment. Granted, his apartment looks WRETCHED, but a one bedroom? With a tub? In New York (the city that allegedly inspired Gotham)? Are we better off if the average person can’t afford that apartment? It’s enough to make anyone go crazy!
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Impressively lazy Jeff Lebowski gets assaulted in his apartment by two thugs who insist his wife owes their boss money. Lebowski, also known as “The Dude,” comes to the conclusion that they have the wrong Jeffrey Lebowski. The REAL Lebowski (or, should I say, “The Big Lebowski,”) is a multi-millionaire with a trophy wife. After the trophy wife gets kidnapped by the thugs, the Big Lebowski sends The Dude to retrieve her.
Based on that description, one would think it’s a 1940s-era thriller. As fun as that would be, it’s a nineties comedy classic! The characters make no sense in their eccentricities. With no discernible job, I’m not sure how The Dude has an apartment at all. His best friend, Walter, is a loud mouth, gun-wielding psychopath… who refuses to drive a car on Saturday, out of respect for Shabbos. My personal favorite is Donny, their co-bowling league member, who seems to be three sentences behind in each conversation. God bless Steve Buscemi.
I totally see how this movie has become a cult classic. The dream sequences, the cozy atmosphere, the aloofness in the face of peril, all make for great comedy and GREAT comfort. Considering the plot had little to do with show business, the combination of the crime-filled plot and the setting in LA, it had the feel of a great old Hollywood picture! I enjoyed watching this one, and I finally understand a one-episode reference from “How I Met Your Mother.”
Thus concludes month one of films from “1001 Movies to See Before You Die.” Of them all, I think that “Saint Maud” was my favorite of the four! “The Big Lebowski” comes close though. I’ll watch anything that feels like Sunset Boulevard. I can’t explain how it does, but it does. It’s LA, I guess!