I love films. Hey, we all do, right? Often I love films others could care less about or even can't stand! And often I stumble upon things way after they've been long forgotten by the rest of the world. And I really love westerns.
I recently saw True Grit. Enough, I'm sure, has been said about it these days. Fantastic of course, and I plan to see it again. My western obsession needed another fix last night, so Robert and I watched The Missing with Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones, two of my favorite actors. I had no idea what to expect. I'd just gotten into grad school when this movie, directed by Ron Howard, came out. So I was among the missing myself, so to speak! All I can say is WOW. Why did I not hear about this film? Did everyone hate it or something? I found it riveting. Cate performance was astounding. Maybe I'm too easy to please, who knows. I do know I adore being mesmerized by lighting, textures and I get real into art direction,wardrobe, set design and direction and props. Hey lets face it, I'm visually oriented, like you probably are. I was so stimulated by the texture and lighting and wardrobe in this film that I think I dreamed about it all last night.
Cate's wardrobe was late 1800's perfection. The two coats she wore in the film... well now, I must have! I have been thinking all morning about how I could make them. Then again having her figure would be a necessity too and that's not going to happen any time soon! I could go on and on.... the house, Cate Blanchett's hat and belts, the quilt on her lover's bed, the winter light coming through the windows, the little rock structure towards the end of the film, the mocassins Tommy Lee Jone gives her daughter, the necklaces he wears, the silver cross they exchange, the leather saddlebags on his horse, his silver embellished Mexican saddle (made by Mortenson Saddlery), Tommy Lee Jones' shirts and the silver button at the neck in one scene, and the coup de gras the found object chest embellishment on the evil Yaqui shaman! (Who is played by the same actor who plays the beautiful Uncas in Last of the Mohicans, believe it or not!) It's a brutal film, a hard one for a mother to watch, but as Cate's character says in the film you don't know how to stop.
3 comments:
Thank goodness there is someone out there who loves The Missing as much as I! I touted this film to everyone I know and their reviews were thumbs down. Huh??
I am mesmerized by all aspects of this film, the mood is dark, sinister, but with that thin ray of hope shining through the most unlikely places. The costumes rustic perfection, the eerie filmography, the stark but beautiful location, everything is magical through the lens, echoing back to that mysterious box that captures your soul.
Yes, I love it, and thank you for sharing...now I have to watch it again!
I thought it was a beautiful film too. My earliest goal in life was to be a cinematographer, so I really watch a film from all angles. :)
I'm glad you blogged about it. I need to see it again now.
I totally agree with you on 'Missing'. The tapestry of subtle colors and textures are especially rich in this show. If it weren't for Tommy Lee and John Wayne, would there be any worthy movies?
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