I couldn't agree more with each character when they exposed their own point of view. I think Andre and Wallace are equally valid in their experiences, and equally interesting. In a way, I understand Andre's frustration with the numbness and the absurd of modernity with its roles and masks we have to wear each day and perform in predefined roles. As an essentialist I was mesmerized by almost everything he said. He touches amazing spiritual points that are essays and books worthy (and they've already been done for centuries, by the way). BUT also, in a way and equally brave mind, Wallace is a man which struggles because he's not in the same economical position as Andre (he can't afford escaping to the Sahara, Tibet or Poland for weeks or months), so he lives each day intensely. He enjoys his coffee, his girlfriend, his job, his plays and tries to pay its bills and be a good citizen. It's hard not to be empathetic, considering Wallace's experiences are (i think) the norm, instead of the exception. It's hard to throw his arguments when in fact, sometimes it's easier to perform and find meaning in the superficially meaningless and accept our lives in the capitalist system because, even though it could be so much freaking better, we're still privileged people, and ignore that it is inhuman. If I'm honest with you guys, I consider Andre as braver, but of course more privileged, so he can afford to be braver. Each man constructs reality with its own set of tools in disposition. This film left me more confused than I was previously, should I make this more important regarding than this? confort or spirituality? spontaneity or discipline? rigorous logical thinking or freeing yourself from restrictions of what should be? what's the meaning? what can I do to live my life intensely? should I? is that healthy? WHAT THE H**L?
I love movies who treat the audience with respect. I felt voyeur, yes, but it was one of the most vivid experiences I had with a film. I saw MUBI had it in its catalogue, I remember seeing it a couple years ago, when I was maybe 16 and of course didn't completely "get" everything, but I knew I just saw something powerful. Rewatching again was a whole new experience, and that "feeling" left by this movie the first time, didn't go away and actually enhanced it. I think seeing it once per year should be a MUST :) this is not a movie, its a whole experience, its a philosophical video essay, its ... wow
I love movies who treat the audience with respect. I felt voyeur, yes, but it was one of the most vivid experiences I had with a film. I saw MUBI had it in its catalogue, I remember seeing it a couple years ago, when I was maybe 16 and of course didn't completely "get" everything, but I knew I just saw something powerful. Rewatching again was a whole new experience, and that "feeling" left by this movie the first time, didn't go away and actually enhanced it. I think seeing it once per year should be a MUST :) this is not a movie, its a whole experience, its a philosophical video essay, its ... wow