I hadn't watched this movie in years. Not since around the time of it's release. I remember even then it had an effect on me but I was too young and immature to understand the subtle nuances and complexity of this story. It's a simmering convergence brought together ever so slowly by an amazing ensemble cast. The performers draw you in as the story evolves. Initially it seems a random capture of disparate lives. But slowly as you are drawn in to each character the arch of each life in some very personal or very circumstantial way begins to intertwine to reveal a new layer in each character. Every scene in this movie builds tension even as it ebbs and flows. There are very few ebbs and it pushes forward uncomfortably at times which is exactly as intended.
This movie is a masterpiece of storytelling direction editing performance and dialogue. It is a classic that can teach everyone a lesson or two about life and how from one moment to the next good or bad our existence is nothing more than organized chaos beyond our control and unforgiving.
There are two opposing ideologies in this movie imo. And it is the essential conflict of this movie. When Tom Cruise's character says the past is a waste of time and when William H Macy's character says you may be done with the past but the past is not done with you. The crux of this movie I think is that conflict and opposing ideologies. Can we forge our own destiny or are we caught in the trajectory our past relegates us to regardless of our efforts to distance ourselves from the events and people that define us.
The silver lining I think is supposed to give us hope in humanity is the relationship between the cop and addict. It shows that no matter how pathetic we are the only thing that saves us from our past and maybe ourselves is love.
And then maybe it rains frogs.
There is hope but only if you truly want it and seek it otherwise life will give up on you.
This movie is a masterpiece of storytelling direction editing performance and dialogue. It is a classic that can teach everyone a lesson or two about life and how from one moment to the next good or bad our existence is nothing more than organized chaos beyond our control and unforgiving.
There are two opposing ideologies in this movie imo. And it is the essential conflict of this movie. When Tom Cruise's character says the past is a waste of time and when William H Macy's character says you may be done with the past but the past is not done with you. The crux of this movie I think is that conflict and opposing ideologies. Can we forge our own destiny or are we caught in the trajectory our past relegates us to regardless of our efforts to distance ourselves from the events and people that define us.
The silver lining I think is supposed to give us hope in humanity is the relationship between the cop and addict. It shows that no matter how pathetic we are the only thing that saves us from our past and maybe ourselves is love.
And then maybe it rains frogs.
There is hope but only if you truly want it and seek it otherwise life will give up on you.
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