Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Creature Double Feature

Watched two movies last night. Had the night to myself so I indulged myself. Technically, I know too much consecutive enjoyment is not allowed, but technically I don't give a damn. It was delicious.

TREES LOUNGE, written and directed by Steve Buscemi. He also stars in it.

Its about alcoholics. It is set in a dive bar called Trees Lounge and revolves around the lives of the people who spend every single day there drinking their life away. Its got lying, cheating, death, hopelessness, self delusion, laughter, tenderness and a kid on a Big Wheel who just cannot ever catch a break with the ice cream truck man.
I have been in lots of bars like this and loved every one of them. And a lot of the people in them.
It opens with a shot of a beat down old alcoholic sitting at the bar. Face absolutely ravaged, red, watery eyes, exuding an air of bad health and a serious F*** you to life attitude. The bartender is pouring him whiskey, and the boozer keeps rotating his finger signalling to the bartender to keep pouring, which she does until the rocks glass is filled to the brim.
I love that scene. I love the whole goddamn movie. It is realistic. It is real.

FALLING DOWN, starring Michael Douglas.

About a guy who completely falls apart, broken by life's stupidity and unfairness. The movie opens with him sitting in a traffic jam, white shirt, tie, and the scene builds and builds the tension until he finally just gets out of his car and walks away. That is only the beginning.  He gets more and more frustrated, more violent in a whole bunch of different situations that say a lot about our ridiculous way of life. He morphs into a one man vigilante squad, acting in increasingly crazier ways that totally belie his nerdy, corporate dude appearance.
I love movies about people who get broken by life. Add this to Affliction, starring Nick Nolte and The Assassination of Richard Nixon, starring Sean Penn. And The Pledge, starring Jack Nicholson. Superb movies that give you a real feel for what it is like to have your spine snapped by the horrors of just being alive.

Falling Down and Trees Lounge captured my mood perfectly last night. I have seen them many, many times before, but last night I saw them differently. Sat there riveted. Didn't even fall asleep.
Capturing the hopelessness of existence resulting in rivers of booze leading to a complete loss of self.
Capturing the stupidity and unfairness of life resulting in violent revenge (self defense) leading to self annihilation.

Show some guts. Watch these movies. Dare to feel.

It might open your eyes.

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