My father had loved this movie when I was young, but wouldn't take me to see it. But he often refereed to it as I was growing up. Figuring it was a kids movie he took a little too much to heart with, I passed it off. Through the years though I heard the title referenced by film buffs as this cinematic 'holy grail' of sight and sound, and became intrigued. Finding it very rare and expensive to come across, I became even more intrigued. Thanks to the folks at Umbrella Entertainment, I was finally able to buy an affordable blu-ray finally. Starting off, it's a cinematic feast for the eyes. Wonderful vistas, and aerial shots following Jonathan through the skies. He's determined to fly faster than any gull has flown before, and nearly kills himself and other gulls in the process. The elders of his flock find him to be a radical not knowing his place and disrupting the balance of the accepted and is banished. Unfettered, Jonathan plans to venture further and faster than any gull has gone and show the elders what can and can't be possible. Figuring this would be 'The Little Engine That Could' story, I grew bored and fell asleep. It wasn't until after as I got listening to the commentary with the film did I learn that Jonathan dies by freezing to death, and is brought to a whole new realm of existence with other gulls that have 'gone beyond' the standard ways. So I watched the movie again fully, and was quite impressed! Not only is the movie well shot, and with a spiritual twist woven in. But the commentary lays out an incredible history of the incredible risks to make the movie to begin with, and the subsequent falling outs with all the creators thereafter. A gripping drama in itself when all told. So for all the work that went into it, concepts and ego's that nearly ended it before even being released, it's incredible any trace of it exists today! The dialog and characters could've used a little more humour and characters in places, as it's very dry throughout. And the Neil Diamond songs can be a bit overwhelming and melancholy as well. But for a movie that tells a story from the animals perspective, and following a flying one no less. I couldn't help but think this must've inspired Godrey Reggio for his Qatsi Trilogy, and no doubt countless other directors like Coppola to Scorcese to GO BIG around a small character. Sure, John Ford and Stanley Kubrick has done some great cinema photography in past. But this movie really tests the limits! Definitely a must see thoroughly at least once!
Review of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
