Greetings all! Our computer got a big bad virus and most of my info is there so unfortunately I am forced to use a very old laptop to write this with no access to my files. I'll do the best I can to at least kick off our discussion. This posting is unedited and will have spelling errors etc. Please accept my aplogies and be assured that I will 'clean it up' over the next few days.
'Keane' BMM on many levels. Damian Lewis is frighteningly convincing and within the first few moments of watching his pained yet incredibly handsome face I was mesmerized. I felt that I was a fly on the wall of his brain - his poor, tortured, sick brain. It didn't take long to realize that he was suffering from schizophrenia and that even if there actually was a daughter who had gone missing (I don't believe there was a kidnapping, perhaps he had a partner and child who left him at some point) that was not the initial cause of his mental condition. It is obvious that director Lodge Kerrigan has intimate knowledge regarding schizophrenia (check out his earlier film 'Clean,Shaven') and it was refreshing to see the subject portrayed an a non-stereotyped manner. How rare to see it played out from the body of a very together looking, well dressed, well spoken, handsome human. The lack of soundtrack was perfect to add to the brutal reality of the inner workings of the character.
Unlike 'Keane' which was a highly praised film by critics and viewers, the film 'Kira's Reason: A Love Story' was derided harshly. I beg to differ from their negative opinions. First off, I did not take this to be a look into the world of mental illness. It wasn't made to 'teach' us anything about that subject. In fact,if we scrutinize the details of Kira's condition it would be simple to tear it apart on it's failure to be an 'accurate' portrayal of the subject. Where were the meds, why wasshe exhibiting bi-polar mania if she had a 'nervous breakdown' due to the loss of her child. But if we leave the need to give her a specific diagnosis and accept it on the terms that in some way she her mind has broken apart (tempoarilly? forever? Not the point). For me it was truly A Love Story. The interactions between Kira and Mads were so specific to 'them', so unpredictable and honest, that I believed that this couple actually exists somewhere on the planet. Many reviewers pointed to the overblown performances but again I beg to differ. There are people in this world that have seemingly larger than life personalities . I can personaly attest to that. The other main complaint was that it all got too neatly resolved and 'cured' in the end and that this was not realistic. Again I disagree. No one said she is 'cured' of her mental condition or that she won't end up in bed with a stranger again or that everything from now on will be back to normal (we don't know what normal was for them anyway) or that they will even ultimately make it till old age together. To me the ending was about the depth of love that they have for each other, the commitment they have to their marriage and most of all it is about ACCEPTANCE. Acceptance of those things in each other that are not pretty, not what we would have hoped for, dissapointing as hell and yet they manage to still see the TOTAL person, and to join each other in their flaws that create the totality of who they are, who they chose to love. The dance scene in the ending was a celebration of that uniqueness, a refusing to be ashamed by it in spite of the opinions of others. He joined her in her dance of madness and saw that it held as much magic as it did pain.
August 31, 2009
Discussion of 'Keane' and 'Kira's Reason' has begun!
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20 comments:
I found Keane too painful to watch and had to quit about 45 minutes into the film. I almost never do that, what made this film too hard to watch? In the first place, I'm just not comfortable thinking about mental illness (is anyone?). Then we get Damian Lewis' portrail of a man in pain, pain that could never go away, could never be cured. Unlike Lee, I took the story presented at face value: this was a man who was once "normal," then he somehow lost a child and like some tortured character in a Greek myth was forced to relive the pain day after day. And the guilt. And the anger and regret and the "should have" / "could have" / "would have" whipping we subject ourselves to day after day after day. A man whose grief could be masked for a while by booze or by a song that let him pretend he still had a connection to his child. Then the song ends and the pain, self-recrimination, snd self-hate return. No wonder he has gone mad.
I've lost my children too (in my own way) and subject myself to the same agony. Having this excellent (and handsome?) actor portray a father who has failed at his fundamental responsibility, reminding me of my own failings was more than I could bear.
Getting ready for Roseapalooza "09 (annual family reunion) so will be a bit before I'll be able to check back in. Really looking forward to others takes on these two films. Initial thoughts? First off, I agree with Lee on Keane. This was a remarkable film, and as David says, Lewis' powerful performance was almost too painful to watch. Ebert apparently watched this movie shortly after the premier of Jodie Foster's thriller, Flightplan, a very different film but also one featuring a central character who may or may not be crazy searching for a lost child who may or may not exist. He liked both very much, but felt many people would probably love one and hate the other -- or in the case of Keane, never even hear of it. Admittedly Flightplan is the type of movie I wouldn't normally see, but Ebert's suggestion -- to see them together -- sounded interesting, and of course we are talking Jodie Foster. So, shortly after seeing Keane I rented Flightplan as well and had to agree it was well done, Foster -- of course -- was excellent, and the juxtaposition of the two pictures was definitely intriguing. While these films are about as different as two films could be, it was interesting to see the parallels, watch both Foster and Lewis wrestle with the attempt to appear "normal" so they would each be taken seriously for instance. I don't really want to say any more about Flightplan, both because it's not "on the list," but also in case some of you decide to watch it.
Kira's Story was a bit harder watch for me. In fact, I have to admit on first viewing I had many of the same reactions as the critics Lee mentions. I guess I was assuming it was about mental illness, and on that score it's plainly ridiculous, overblown, wildly inaccurate, and saddled with what certainly comes across as a "Hollywood" ending in the worst sense. Of course I realize the title tells us it's actually a love story, and I did try to see it in those terms, especially after reading Lee's commentary. Still, no go. Perhaps I'm simply too bourgeois at heart, but I kept thinking "these scumbags really deserve each other." You've got a diva -- it's all about me me me! -- wife who is barely out of hospital and running off to the bar to pick up the first guy she sees for a meaningless lay -- then calling her husband to come pick her up. Then you've got her cold fish husband who has deposited her earlier at the hospital, and despite his seeming workaholic passionless nature, still can't wait to jump her own sister's bones. This is love? I mean come on. A billion women in the world and you have to screw your wife's sister -- and then tell her about it! And it's not like he loved her. Of course the sister isn't any better, and for that matter, neither is the father who left them both. Usually when you see families like this it's on Jerry Springer! Maybe part of my problem with this movie was there was no one I could empathize with, in fact, not a single character I didn't dislike. Still, I know you liked this pic a great deal Lee so I can't help wondering, "what did I miss?" Guess this is one I'll just have to watch again. In the meantime I'm looking forward to reading what the rest of you thought.
I'm split between both Oldman and Lee's take on Kira's Reason. Strangley enough I think both reactions are valid and defendable.
I loved this movie for many of the reasons Lee states so eloquently but if I analyze it on an intellectual level Oldman's critisisms hold up.Yet that doesn't take away my strong response to this as a deep and beautiful love story. Perhaps a flawed one but powerful none the less.
David,I haven't had a chance to watch Keane as of yet but will before the discussion is over. Thankyou for such an honest commentary. I am deeply sorry for your loss and pain.
This is a test, just a test. Where is everybody???
Funny, I was intending to post the same question myself today, "Where is everyone??" Perhaps the weather has been too beautiful and is keeping people outdoors....Lee?, wondering what the next film is so I can get it into the mix.
Sorry I haven't written on the current dialogue but I'm in a rather tough space right now for a variety of reasons and I honestly wasn't open to the subject matter. Maybe at another point, as they both sound quite interesting.
Out looking for jobs perhaps?
Or too depressed by the economic downturn to watch a movie (or rent one?)....?? I know those are my lame (but honest)excuses,
Wassssup everyone else?
Is anybody out there? Thanks for asking Oldman. Indeed, I was wondering the same thing myself!
Yeah, the job situation is devestating ART1952. Many people in my world (and all over the planet!) are suffering deeply from this with no apparent end in sight. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sorry about the delay on listing the next flick. For some reason I've had a hard time choosing. Until I saw '12' and lost all ambivalence. Double header with late notice so we'll push it out a few weeks.
And I promise to update the 'Lee Just Watched' listings, the further behind I get the more I resist. Feel like I'm back in high school leaving everything till the last possible second. I guess I deserve a D for the semester...
David, Your writing was honest and powerful, I too am sorry for your pain and understand why you could not watch the rest of 'Keane.'
Welcome Wavelength72, I really enjoyed your commentary. Please hang in there with us!
Filmluver, whatever is going on in your life right now I wish you all the best. Sounds like a challenging time for a lot of us.. I appreciate you all sharing a little of that with the rest of us. Helps to know we are not alone.
Hi Lee, I'm with you on the subject of "Kira's Reason"- it is hard to believe that this film has been so widely panned. I'm happy to hear that Oldman watched it again and appreciate that he couldn't find a reason to change his take on it but I agree with both of you that this is meant to be seen as a love story and not a seminar on the ins and outs of any particular type of mental illness. However, I strongly disagree that all of the scenes portraying her 'condition' were wildly innacurate and off the mark. Having been reared in a family with a long and scarring history of bipolar disorder (formally known as manic depression), including my maternal grandmother and myself I was appreciative of the honest and in my experience "realistic' scenes. Although there is no mention or reference to Kira's history (or lack of it) of mental illness prior to her breakdown after the death of their child nor any particular diagnosis or labelling of her current condition (she obviously is not fully recovered or well) I responded to her as a woman with obvious bi-polar disorder, possibly late onset , possibly existing in a milder form before the stress of her loss. The scene in the kid's swimming pool was as true to any portrayal of bipolar mania behavior as I have ever seen on film. As to her sleeping with other guys, I can't tell you how many stories I have heard and witnessed from those suffering from a severe mania of the type of behavior we see Kira going through in the whole bar, pickup scenario. The insatiable need to be 'out there' and connecting, often sexually, only to come down from the mania to find that one has destroyed another relationship due to these often uncontrollable bouts. Yes, proper medications do work for many, therapy etc. but that is another matter. I give you that the concept of her calling her husband to come get her after this was farfetched but believe me when I tell you that the whole bar scene and its aftermath were devastatingly true to life. All the manic episodes she went through had profound effects on her and her family, as of course they would, but I don't feel that it was unrealistic that her husband (and again, his straying from the marriage with her sister during her two year abscence bring up an entirely different set of issues, and let's not pretend that this type of thing doesn't happen in the real world when people are under great strains, even in so called 'normal' relationships) was terribly and honestly in love with her and would stick by her and try to make it work. Lee, I loved what you said about him joining her in the magic and remaining open to seeing this magic in the the very sick but also very wonderful and unique woman that he loved.They have a hell of a lot of long term struggle ahead of them and I saw no "Happy Hollywood Ending" in this movie, just a descision that they both made that they loved each other in spite of all the struggles enough to keep on going, keep on trying, no matter how hard or bumpy the road. A real love story and it does happen, a lot, in couples where one has a physical or mental disability.
Good question.Where is everybody.
It has been so glorious this month,you just want to be outside.With fall coming and getting back into a groove we will all come back.
David ,I agree with you(and feel your pain)i saw a man haunted by pain loss and guilt stunningly portrayed.
I also believe there is hope for him.he did not after all kidnap the child.
As for Love Story,I am with lee on this one. Call me a sentimental old fool(I am none of the above),but I saw this movie as one of the most incredble love stories.Maybe.
one that does not exist,however ,one that we would all love to experience.
We have been spending much of the month camping in Vermont and just returned. Caught the two newest films over the last few nights and were thrilled that we didn't miss out on two more great choices. Will try to read all the comments and get back to you all over the weekend.
I am TOTALLY psyched about the next discussion.
It seems there is a lot left to talk about as far as these current movies. Is Keane an actual schizophrenic? Or did he really lose his daughter which caused a mental breakdown? Oldman pointed towards these questions. Was there ever an actual daughter? Was she kidnapped? Come on guys, let's get into the meat of this! Like everyone did back in the first movie on the blog. Kontroll. THAT was a killer discussion and I think Keane has almost as much to delve into.
Answer to Jimmy. Thanks for bringing up the discussion of Kontroll, I hadn't read it and it was top of the line. So I did finally watch Keane and I never questioned his schizophrenia as it was pretty clear that he was hearing , listening to and answering 'voices' in his head. I'm not an expert but I don't believe that even a severely stressful event could bring about that continued symptom but I could be wrong. And based on that I didn't get that he had a daughter that had been kidnapped, maybe something had existed such as a marriage and a kid, that he lost them in some form at some time for some reason, but that his unfortunately sick mind was at work here, not a real situation. Fascinating movie, and Damian Lewis gave a stunning and completely believable performance. He has an extremely versatile range as an actor, I've enjoyed his other work and look forward to more.
After reading everyone's comments I could not resist MAKING the time to watch Keane. There were a lot of plot details pointing to the probability that Keane had a daughter and that a kidnapping took place. However, this would not discount his being schizophrenic. He may have been married and medicated properly, many people wilth thought disorders are able to live productive and fairly 'normal' lives. Perhaps after the kidnapping he felt so traumatized that he stopped taking meds and his marriage fell apart. I don't think there is any way to know for sure. The ending in which he clearly decides not to take the girl with him showed that a healing had taken place. Healing from what exactly we will never know. I'm curious what ICU/UCME thinks as this person seems pretty well versed on issues of mental illness. ICU/UCME? Any thoughts??
Hi! For all you Danian Lewis fans, have you checked out the NBC series that ran for 2 seasons in o7/08? He plays a detective who was frames for a murder , spent 12 years in prison (studying ZEN) and got out with a wallopping settlement. It is funny and fun (FAH) and of course he is great as usual. Too bad it was cancelled.
Saw it! It was great, rumors are it may return.
Talk about a candidate (D.L.) for the "It's Raining Men" list!!
2 fascinating films Lee. Like the site. (and the slideshows!)
Speaking of slide shows- any chance of another "smorgasbord" soon?
It has been some time since you updated your recently watched films Lee, are you OK? I notice you haven't written too much lately and am just a little concerned.
After reading many reviews it appears that plenty of viewers were not aware of Keane's mental disorder and took it as a fact that he had a daughter who he lost in that station causing him to have a 'nervous breakdown'. However, most of the critics referred directly to the mental illness. Perhaps they had the benefit of a promotional sneak preview containing some sort of communication with the director?
Thanks everyone for your input and concerns! Time-Will-Tell (love that name), Am I ok? Not so great lately for sure, appreciate your asking. Mainly not writing too much because the computer is still down and we don't have any quick and easy access. Hopefully it will be back in gear in time for the next discussion. Interesting to see how dependent I have become on the little contraption!
Oldman, how was 'Roseapalooza' and how was the name derived?
Best autumnal wishes to all.....lee
Hi Lee, I noticed that you never sent a 'heads up' note letting us know that the new discussion had begun. It would be great if you could notify us each time like you used to so we can stay on top of it. Sometimes things get so hectic around here that a month can easily go by without us remembering to check in!
Thanks Lee, the blog is really well done and even though we don't
usually comment, be assured that we read every word with relish and especially love the LEE JUST WATCHED listings.
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