I'm a Denzel Washington fan. His film credits are too numerous to list, but to most film buffs he's about as good as acting gets. Problem is, even someone as good as Denzel cannot save a truly miserable film.
The Book of Eli should have been called the Book of Confusion. As usual, this reviewer will not spoil the flick for those who have not seen it, but suffice it say that our hero--notwannabe hero--is a wanderer in post-Apocalyptic America. He carries a book, a Bible, one of the last remaining holy texts in the world. The protagonist must carry the book to the West, because he has heard a voice that told him to do so.
Not a bad premise. Strange that the story could not unfold logically and intelligently from this point on.
Seems some baddies want to steal the Bible. Why? Who knows? Seems a beautiful female (Mila Kunis) wants to escape the baddies and travel with the wanderer. Why? Who knows? Seems that some folks out there have some kind of skin disease on the hands. What? Huh?
Action: Oh, there's plenty of this. But's it's wanton, inconsistent, and certainly makes no sense. The hero, for example, is a Kung Fu expert, who uses his knife to destroy the hordes, much as the heroine in Kill Bill does. OK, but why do we have a ninja artist amid the post-apocalyptic idiots?
And finally: The delivery of the Bible.... Cannot give this part away, but really, it makes little more sense than the rest of the film.
Grade of Triple D for D-angerously D-itzy and D-uuuuuh.
Now, here's where our two approaches to this blog diverge... Since we've both seen it, and it came out a year ago or so, can we talk freely about it? Do I wait a certain respectable time? Do I speak in codes and abbreviations? HELP!
ReplyDeletePlease usher forth, my esteemed colleague. Divergent paths keep us on the path to learning!
ReplyDeleteI'm really not here to counter your views, just offer some ideas I liked. The word I would give this film is "INCOMPLETE." I agree with you completely that what the film DOESN'T tell us becomes a distraction. To your observations I would add: what's with having to show his hands that he's not "one of them." If both the hero and villain remember the Pre-Apocalypse, why don't we learn more about it all? This happened 30 years earlier and the people haven't gotten any further? He's been walking for 30 years and still hasn't reached the coast. Really?
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, here is what I saw as its value. Hubby was watching football downstairs, I started watching this upstairs. Frankly, I'm the kind who would generally fall asleep or go to bed early. Yet, this film kept my attention. I was drawn in from the start. I kept wanting to know more (a trick that fails if the flick does not deliver the info). The blinding light sepia tone was effective for a post-nuclear setting. I was intrigued by the Bible element. Unlike you, I thought it made great sense. Oldman's villain understands the power of that book. It has waged war, dictated policy, controlled culture, and wielded power over others. Whether it should or not. Fascinating.
The conclusion, which borrowed unashamedly from Fahrenheit 451, piques a literature teacher for a society's understanding the value and contribution of the writing of those before them, along with the preservation of culture.
Since we've both seen it, here comes the spoiler. The Braille angle was fascinating. Now, was he blind?? Son didn't get that from it. At one point the camera comes up real close to at least one of Eli's eyes which looks clouded over. If he was blind, I've got a real problem with the whole thing. Must I watch it again to be able to say, "oh, yea, that's right." Manipulative. He appeared to be divinely protected, yet in the end, wasn't.
As I watched this, I kept thinking, "gee, I bet this was a really good book (if it is one)." Trouble is, even when the best book gives way to a movie version, the movie should always be able to stand on its own. This tries, but in the end, fails. Darn.
Discussing this film with younger son recently, prompted him to re-view the film. He clarified for me our shared confusion (see above) regarding citizens checking the hands. The scene with the old couple living in the middle of nowhere reveals that they were eating people who'd come by their house! Ew. Hence the graves in the back and their hands were shaking due to the toxicity ( I guess) of consuming fellow humans.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Greg swears Eli wasn't blind; I must concur upon seeing a little of it again. So that still leaves lots of questions unanswered, such as, how did he learn Braille?
Agree on his lack of blindness. Yes, very likely that the old couple were cannibals. My overall opinion of the film is still quite critical. To quote my wise colleague above:
ReplyDeleteTrouble is, even when the best book gives way to a movie version, the movie should always be able to stand on its own. This tries, but in the end, fails. Darn.