So tonight, I saw The Historian, the best film I have ever seen. Why do I think it is the best film I have ever seen? Is it because yours truly is seen three times in the background of the film? No. Is it because the writer, director, and main character of the film is a former professor of mine whom I hold in the highest esteem and look to as a role model and academic hero? Maybe a little. But the main reason I say this is because it is unlike any film I have ever seen. Most films today get so wrapped up in special effects, big sounds, and forced drama (which is why I dislike Christopher Nolan's Batman). The Historian however gets back to the roots of story telling. While too many movies today are able to substitute story with a huge explosion or a sky scraper collapsing for fifteen minutes, the Historian does not. Every scene has a very specific contribution to the overall story (or storIES) taking place within the world of the characters.
The plot alone sets this film apart. Rather than having ordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances, or perhaps extraordinary characters set in even more extraordinary circumstances, The Historian revolves around the every-day, very relatable conflicts of the modern person: love, death, sex, right v wrong, accepting things you cannot change, and many other themes. As most people know, the story is about a young professor beginning his career at a major university. For one reason or another, he ends up clashing with another, seasoned professor, while also ending up getting mixed up in drama involving women (a classic scenario). The main character is forced to change some of his ways of thinking, accept some things that he cannot change about his situation, and figure out how to work with fortunes or misfortunes that are handed to him > not to mention have them co- exist. This however, is only the beginning. To say much more would be to give away some of the greatest points of the tale. Overall, it is a beautiful story of three major characters growing and learning how to live this thing we call life. They are all on different walks of life, and have different perspectives on how things should be. There is no set antagonist, but rather three major protagonists who's lives have become intertwined in various ways, and because of the interconnection, creates conflict. Brilliant.
A second thing that makes this film the best I have ever seen (aside form the story, acting skills, camera work, etc.) is the honesty. I love how honest this film is. From the character's reactions to difficult trials, to the real life trials themselves, to the lessons learned from those trials, it is all too obvious to me that this film was not put up simply to make money like other major motion pictures are today. The film beautifully captures the human experience of success and failure through a deep story about people living, learning, and growing independently and together. The film teaches lessons, raises questions, and entertains all at the same time. I wonder how much better main stream movies would be if the focus was on the raw STORY, its CHARACTERS and their GROWTH, rather than special effects and CGI?
The third thing that I loved about this film is how it did a brilliant job of showcasing Hattiesburg, the MS Gulf Coast, and Mississippi in subtle, yet not overly displaying ways. It showed our lovely USM campus in Hattiesburg, the landscape, local bars/restaurants, and craft beer(Lazy Mag). It is apparent that a Mississippi native was the backbone of the project.
One last little thing that I loved about The Historian, simply from a personal perspective, is the history throughout it. If you have ever taken any of Dr. Doleac's classes, you will hear some of the same things he has probably talked about in his classes, especially about Jesus and what made him "dangerous," to the cultural norm.
I could probably go on and on about the film, but that would take up entirely too much time, which could be time you should be purchasing your tickets online or heading down to the theater to see it for yourself. If you are a Mississippian and love your state, especially if you live in Hattiesburg or the Gulf Coast, I highly encourage you to go see this excellent film, The Historian.
Bona Fortuna!
The plot alone sets this film apart. Rather than having ordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances, or perhaps extraordinary characters set in even more extraordinary circumstances, The Historian revolves around the every-day, very relatable conflicts of the modern person: love, death, sex, right v wrong, accepting things you cannot change, and many other themes. As most people know, the story is about a young professor beginning his career at a major university. For one reason or another, he ends up clashing with another, seasoned professor, while also ending up getting mixed up in drama involving women (a classic scenario). The main character is forced to change some of his ways of thinking, accept some things that he cannot change about his situation, and figure out how to work with fortunes or misfortunes that are handed to him > not to mention have them co- exist. This however, is only the beginning. To say much more would be to give away some of the greatest points of the tale. Overall, it is a beautiful story of three major characters growing and learning how to live this thing we call life. They are all on different walks of life, and have different perspectives on how things should be. There is no set antagonist, but rather three major protagonists who's lives have become intertwined in various ways, and because of the interconnection, creates conflict. Brilliant.
A second thing that makes this film the best I have ever seen (aside form the story, acting skills, camera work, etc.) is the honesty. I love how honest this film is. From the character's reactions to difficult trials, to the real life trials themselves, to the lessons learned from those trials, it is all too obvious to me that this film was not put up simply to make money like other major motion pictures are today. The film beautifully captures the human experience of success and failure through a deep story about people living, learning, and growing independently and together. The film teaches lessons, raises questions, and entertains all at the same time. I wonder how much better main stream movies would be if the focus was on the raw STORY, its CHARACTERS and their GROWTH, rather than special effects and CGI?
The third thing that I loved about this film is how it did a brilliant job of showcasing Hattiesburg, the MS Gulf Coast, and Mississippi in subtle, yet not overly displaying ways. It showed our lovely USM campus in Hattiesburg, the landscape, local bars/restaurants, and craft beer(Lazy Mag). It is apparent that a Mississippi native was the backbone of the project.
One last little thing that I loved about The Historian, simply from a personal perspective, is the history throughout it. If you have ever taken any of Dr. Doleac's classes, you will hear some of the same things he has probably talked about in his classes, especially about Jesus and what made him "dangerous," to the cultural norm.
I could probably go on and on about the film, but that would take up entirely too much time, which could be time you should be purchasing your tickets online or heading down to the theater to see it for yourself. If you are a Mississippian and love your state, especially if you live in Hattiesburg or the Gulf Coast, I highly encourage you to go see this excellent film, The Historian.
Bona Fortuna!