Post by klep on Sept 6, 2021 11:01:55 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 9/6: The Fugitive
PERSON ON THE RUN WEEK!
What stood out to me most about The Fugitive was the pacing. Often times in films where a character is on the run, there will be a scene where they stop somewhere and breathe - maybe they find a shack to sleep in or a friend hides them for a night. Or a chase film will start to drag, becoming repetitive as the mouse escapes the cat time and again. But The Fugitive never stops, never lets up, and never takes a breath.
It has a few things going for it to help. One is that Dr. Kimble (Harrison Ford) has a goal beyond just 'escape'. He's looking for the man who killed his wife - both for the sake of justice and to exonerate himself. It means that each step along his journey is slightly different - he's found a new clue which presents him with a new task or obstacle to overcome. He isn't just trying to slip a noose, he's trying to get closer to the man who should be in his place.
Another big thing is that this film isn't just about Kimble's struggle - it's also about the
man chasing him. The Fugitive alters between Kimble and the law enforcement team led by US Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) as they try to catch up with him. This cutting back and forth allows the film to excise any dead time - when Kimble goes to ground for a rest it can just cut back to the Marshal team and see what they're doing. It keeps the cat and mouse interesting, as we watch Kimble put together the pieces of who killed his wife and Gerard put together the pieces of what Kimble is trying to do. Kimble keeps ahead of Gerard partly because Gerard hasn't caught up to what he wants but also because Kimble is just very smart - he rarely evades capture solely because of luck, but rather as a result of his intelligence and his determination.
And then of course there are the two core performances. There's a reason both Ford and Jones have had such long careers, and it's on display with how well they can play characters like these . Ford is great at playing a character with fierce determination, but also at the nervousness of a convict on the run - his "Who, me?" face is unparalleled in the craft. Meanwhile Jones is fantastic at playing no-nonsense cops, his skeptical demeanor and sharp, quick delivery pushing the pace as much as the writing. It only took two lines together to establish their dynamic, but that was enough to propel one of the finest chase films ever made.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 9/13: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
HOME AT LAST WEEK!
As I return from vacation and take up my Movie of the Week mantle again we'll be watching one of the more beloved films from the Star Trek franchise with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Come join our discussion next week as we discuss a film of whales and time travel. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is available for rent at the usual places.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 9/8: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
The Next Picture Show's next duo of films will be looking at memories erased and recovered, starting with Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry and co-written by Charlie Kaufman. Erase your memories of conversations you've had about the film, and come join us in discussing it for the first time ever. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind is available to stream on Showtime and DirecTV and is available for rent at the usual places.
PERSON ON THE RUN WEEK!
What stood out to me most about The Fugitive was the pacing. Often times in films where a character is on the run, there will be a scene where they stop somewhere and breathe - maybe they find a shack to sleep in or a friend hides them for a night. Or a chase film will start to drag, becoming repetitive as the mouse escapes the cat time and again. But The Fugitive never stops, never lets up, and never takes a breath.
It has a few things going for it to help. One is that Dr. Kimble (Harrison Ford) has a goal beyond just 'escape'. He's looking for the man who killed his wife - both for the sake of justice and to exonerate himself. It means that each step along his journey is slightly different - he's found a new clue which presents him with a new task or obstacle to overcome. He isn't just trying to slip a noose, he's trying to get closer to the man who should be in his place.
Another big thing is that this film isn't just about Kimble's struggle - it's also about the
man chasing him. The Fugitive alters between Kimble and the law enforcement team led by US Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) as they try to catch up with him. This cutting back and forth allows the film to excise any dead time - when Kimble goes to ground for a rest it can just cut back to the Marshal team and see what they're doing. It keeps the cat and mouse interesting, as we watch Kimble put together the pieces of who killed his wife and Gerard put together the pieces of what Kimble is trying to do. Kimble keeps ahead of Gerard partly because Gerard hasn't caught up to what he wants but also because Kimble is just very smart - he rarely evades capture solely because of luck, but rather as a result of his intelligence and his determination.
And then of course there are the two core performances. There's a reason both Ford and Jones have had such long careers, and it's on display with how well they can play characters like these . Ford is great at playing a character with fierce determination, but also at the nervousness of a convict on the run - his "Who, me?" face is unparalleled in the craft. Meanwhile Jones is fantastic at playing no-nonsense cops, his skeptical demeanor and sharp, quick delivery pushing the pace as much as the writing. It only took two lines together to establish their dynamic, but that was enough to propel one of the finest chase films ever made.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 9/13: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
HOME AT LAST WEEK!
As I return from vacation and take up my Movie of the Week mantle again we'll be watching one of the more beloved films from the Star Trek franchise with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Come join our discussion next week as we discuss a film of whales and time travel. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is available for rent at the usual places.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 9/8: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
The Next Picture Show's next duo of films will be looking at memories erased and recovered, starting with Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry and co-written by Charlie Kaufman. Erase your memories of conversations you've had about the film, and come join us in discussing it for the first time ever. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind is available to stream on Showtime and DirecTV and is available for rent at the usual places.