Literature Study: Edgar Allan Poe

I can't remember a time that I wasn't familiar with the name, Edgar Allan Poe and his iconic poem, "The Raven". His name is synonymous with classic American literature among the greats such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Mellville, Harriet Beacher Stowe, and Emily Dickinson. Although I've always known his name, I've hardly known much about his life or his work until just recently. As I've stated many times before I tend to stray away from the horror genre, which was certainly Poe's specialty. However during this summer of Classic Literature, in search of better enlightenment, I've dove deep into my Norton Anthology of Literature and have read various works by Poe. He had a very unique and original style, and is often depicted as the father of the macabre.

As I recently wrote in my post regarding the American Literature Renaissance of the 1830s-1850s, I made the case that Edgar Allan Poe was the era's definitive figure. Prior to him, American literature was in it's earliest infancy and the works of Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper paved the way. However many critics felt these popular writers were merely copying the British literary format. It was Edgar Allen Poe who established an entirely new literary style in the 1830s. Influenced by Washington Irving and Mary Shelly (Author of Frankenstein) he specialized in the Gothic genre, that would later inspire fellow American authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Mellville. Furthermore his work influenced other great novelists such as Athur Conan Doyle and Fyodor Dostoevsky. 

Poe's work provided a new American identity, drawn to the Gothic horrors, mystery, psychological thrillers, and even romance. His work was no doubt influenced by the nation's dark past pertaining to the Salem Witch Trials, the bloody Revolutionary War, and even the conquest of Native Americans. His work reflects a psychological component unlike ever before. In reading his dark and twisted work, it should come as no surprise that the man himself was quite mentally unstable and lived a very short life. Just by looking at his photograph this much seems quite apparent, that he was a bit off. However just like many other great artists (Mozart, Van Gogh, Beethoven) quite often genius goes with madness, and Edgar Allen Poe most definitely had a bit both. 

The Life of Edgar Allan Poe

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19th, 1809, his parents were both struggling actors. Just a year later his father abandoned him and his mother died of tuberculosis thus making him an orphan. He was later adopted by a wealthy merchant John Allan who enrolled Edgar in grammar school. They lived in London for several years before returning to Richmond, Virginia in 1820. Despite losing his biological parents, Edgar was very fortunate to be brought up and educated by a wealthy family. He excelled at language and literature and by 1826 he enrolled in the University of Virginia.  

His enrollment at the University of Virginia was quite short-lived due to his lack of discipline and rising gambling debt. During this time he developed a rift with his foster father and experienced a major heartbreak which could have caused his failure at the university. He chose not to return to his hometown of Richmond, Virginia yet rather make it on his own in Boston. He managed to find several jobs as a clerk and a newspaper writer for a year, however due to the low funds he decided to enlist in the army in 1827. It was during this year that he published his first collection of poetry known as the Tamerlane and Other Poems. 

By 1830 Edgar was appointed to West Point military academy and had received some acclaim for his published poetry by the notable critic John Neal. This encouraged Edgar to continue to pursue his writing career, however at the same time he was disowned by his foster father after years of disputes. The following year he chose to withdraw from the military by court-martial and published his 3rd collection of poems dedicated to the West Point cadets. He then moved to Baltimore to pursue a career in writing and publishing, which he quickly found to be an unending financial struggle. At this point Edgar restored to heavy alcoholism as he wrote and searched for publishers. He married his cousin, Virginia Clemm in 1835, He was 26 years old and she was only 13, yet he loved her dearly. 

From this point on Edgar achieved better financial stability and had gained some recognition for his published work. He then moved back to Richmond with his new wife and published various popular works such as the Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. However in 1842, Poe's fortune took another downward dip when his wife got severely ill from tuberculous. This led him to heavy drinking and madness yet he still continued to write some of his greatest works at this point. He wrote poems, tales/ short-stories, essays, and literary critics. In 1845 he published "The Raven" which brought him instant fame, although not the deserved wealth. 

In 1846 he moved to New York City and his wife Virginia finally gave in to her tuberculous sickness and died the following year. This drove Edgar into an even further alcoholism, strange behavior, and downright insanity. This lifestyle eventually got the better of him in October of 1849 when he was found in a drunken stupor on the streets of Baltimore and died several days later due to a brain hemorrhage. His death was a very mysterious one however and just like the character himself is shrouded with theories pertaining to suicide, illness, or murder as a victim of election fraud. Following his death he became the victim of a terrible character assassination by Rufus Griswold, one of his former publishers. It was not until 30 years later that Poe received the proper recognition and honor that was due of him. 

Upon reflecting on his downtrodden life it is no wonder he developed an eccentric behavior that gave way to madness. As an orphan he perhaps never felt fully loved by his foster parents, and experienced many episodes of disappointment and heartbreak. Yet despite this unusual upbringing, he was quite fortunate to be brought up in a wealthy environment that no doubt encouraged his passion for academics, specifically literature. Poe displayed great tenacity in his penmanship and ambition to be published. It should also be noted that before he truly went insane, he experienced some relatively satisfying years with his wife, Virginia. However as soon as she became sick, his life went on a sharp downward trajectory to eventual madness. All of Poe's brilliant yet disturbing work is reflective of this life of heartbreak, depression, alcoholism, and frequent psychological trauma. 

The Famous Works of Poe

• Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827)
• This was Poe's first published work, a collection of poetry inspired by the work of British poet, Lord Byron. He wrote the poems as a soldier in the army and they quickly garnished appraise from notable critics such as John Neal. He demonstrated his common themes of death, love, and pride in famous poems such as "Tamerlane", "Evening Star", "The Lake", "Song", "Spirits of the Dead", and "The Happiest Day".
• Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems (1829)
• This was his second publication as a soldier in the army, and dedicated to his literary critic John Neal. The collection was most renown for it's long complex poem of "Al Aaraaf", which pertained to an Islamic Purgatory full of allegory. This collection was not as warmly received as his first collection, yet still showed his creative potential. 
• Poems by Edgar Allen Poe (1831)
• His third publication inspired him to leave his military career and begin a full time life as a writer. While this lifestyle lead to financial struggle it also allowed him to dedicate more time to his writing. His third publication included famous poems such as "To Helen", "The City in the Sea", and "Israfel" (yet another homage to death, love, and Islamic lore). 
• Ligeia (1838)

• By 1832 Edgar Allen Poe had expanded from poetry to also writing short-stories pertaining to humor, mystery, and horror. The tale of Ligeia demonstrated his romantic element which is often lost in his dark themes. The narrator is obsessed with the raven-haired beautiful and wise woman named Ligeia. However she later dies and the narrator marries another woman without as much love, Rowena. His 2nd wife also dies and upon her death mysteriously transforms into the body of Ligeia. One analysis here could be that the spirit of Ligeia consumed the body of Rowena to return to life. This is an example of Poe's romantic and metaphysical style.  
• The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)
• One of his more famous short-tales which demonstrated his unique metaphysical and Gothic style. In the story the narrator visits a haunted house and finds the owner to be in a perplexing state. He later discovers that the owner of the house has entombed his sister which explains the mysterious sounds and his eccentric behavior. The sister later escapes her tomb and kills her brother. As the narrator flees from the site, he witnesses the house split into two, thus representing the end of the house and the family. Just as the title suggests this is an end of a family dynasty, quite literally, and Poe creates a very psychological and metaphysical account here. 
• William Wilson (1839)

• This tale appeared in Poe's publication of Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. It is a horror tale of a man who is haunted by his doppelganger. He later murders his look-alike, but is then haunted by the image in his mirror. This is yet another example of Poe's psychological writing, taking the reader into the mind of a very troubled person. 
• The Man in the Crowd (1840)
• Yet another psychological story pertaining to an obsessive people-watcher in the streets of London. The narrator is clearly an odd character who enjoys to observe people, yet when he sees an unusual old man in the streets he becomes mad with curiosity. He follows the man thru the streets and markets of London for an entire day and later concludes that the man is simply one of mystery who thrives in crowds. The ultimate question Poe presents in this tale is who is the stranger, the narrator or the mysterious old man in the crowd. 
• The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841)
• Regarded as the first detective story, yet another claim to Poe's legendary author status. The main character of C. Auguste Dupin is a detective in Paris who is solving a murder thru rationale and reasoning. Dupin's unique methods allow him to analyze the murder from the perspective of the suspect. This original character created by Poe, later returned in his other detective stories of "The Mystery of Marie Roget" and "The Purloined Letter". These stories went on to inspire other detective/mystery writers, most notably the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle.  
• The Masque of the Red Death (1842)

• Another of Poe's great horror tales that excels in the development of psychological fear. The story takes place in a castle amidst a deadly plague known as the Red Death. Bold and fearless, Prince Prospero considers his castle a safe refuge and holds a masquerade for his fellow nobles. However despite the luxurious affair, fear is still evident with the silence after the chiming of the clock. At midnight the people at the party notice a peculiar dark figure in a shroud and the mask of a corpse. Prospero corners the figure with his dagger, demanding to know his identity. The figure then reveals his mask, in which there is nothing but death for everyone at the party.   
• The Pit and the Pendulum (1842)
• Here is another psychological horror from the perspective of a tortured prisoner during the Spanish Inquisition. The narrator is trapped in a cell and watches as a sharp pendulum swings back and forth lowering to his position. He is able to escape his bondage thanks to the rats of the cell, however once again faces death as the walls begin to close on one another. The narrator is miraculously saved at the end by the arrival of the French Army.  
• The Tell-Tale Heart (1843)

• Regarded as one of Poe's most famous short stories, this is another demonstration of his Gothic psychological thrillers. The narrator lives with an old man (the connection not made clear) that has a wicked vulture-eye. This eye begins to haunt and drive the narrator mad, to the point in which he murders the old man and buries him under the floor of the house. However overcome by guilt and paranoia he begins to hear sounds and thumping throughout the house which he believes to be the heart of the old man. During the police investigation of the murder, the narrator falls into a mad panic unable to block out the noise, and confesses to his crime. 
• The Gold-Bug (1843)
• Yet another of Poe's famous detective/adventure stories, it also demonstrates his keen fascination for cryptography. The story revolves around William Legrand who partakes in a treasure hunt of deciphering clues and code. Thru the help of the narrator and his servant he is able to discover the treasure of famous pirate Captain Kidd. The story was one of Poe's most popular works and also his most profitable. This story went on to influence Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island as well as Dan Brown's various "Robert Langdon" mystery novels pertaining to code-breaking.  
• The Black Cat (1843)
  
• This short tale was another of Poe's most iconic works and perhaps one of my favorites. It incorporates common themes of psychological guilt, panic, and total collapse. The story is quite similar to Tell-Tale Heart in which the narrator finds himself quite haunted by someone, this time a black cat that is missing an eye. He eventually gives in to this disturbance and hangs the cat however quite mysteriously that night his house catches fire. Overcome by guilt he later buys another similar black cat, that is also missing an eye. Yet again however he is overcome by the haunting demeanor of the cat and begins to avoid it. In a fury one night he attempts to kill it with an ax, yet when his wife stops him he kills her wife the ax. Shocked by his abrupt murder he conceals the corpse of his wife in the walls and is unable to find the cat. He finds peace however in that the cat has gone missing and has fled the property. Later however the police show up to his house to investigate the murder, of which the narrator is confident they will not find her. However in a fateful twist of fortune, the missing cat gives a loud shriek revealing the hidden location of his wife's dead corpse.     
• The Raven (1845)
  
• No doubt this is Poe's most well-known work, a poem yet again pertaining to psychological madness. The narrator is grieving in his room over the loss of his beloved Lenore. Unable to sleep, he seeks some solace by reading old books, however later hears a tapping at his window. As the narrator opens the window, a black raven flies inside the room and lands above his door, speaking only the word "Nevermore". At first the narrator is amused by this bird and begins to speak with it, then later presumes the bird will fly away from his life just as everyone else had, to which the bird responds, "Nevermore". The narrator then grows deeper with the bird and questions it whether he can forget Lenore or if he will be united with her in heaven, to which yet again the bird utters "Nevermore". At this the narrator is driven into a mad fury accusing the bird of being an evil prophet from hell, of which he must spend the rest of his days haunted by. The brilliance of this poem is shared by the haunting scene Poe creates, yet more so it's rhyme and rhythm. 
• The Cask of Amontillado (1846)
• Perhaps one of Poe's most twisted and cruel stories it tells of a man's quest for vengeance on a person who has insulted him. At a wine-tasting party the narrator Montresor leads his old friend, Fortunato into an underground wine cellar. Montresor convinces his enthusiastic friend that beneath the cave is a rare vintage of Amontillado. However he then quickly chains Fortunato in the cellar and begins to slowly entomb him, until he is fully enclosed. This is one of several depictions by Poe of a character being buried alive, which clearly fascinated or haunted the author. Unlike other stories however such as The Fall of the House of Usher, Black Cat, or Tell-Tale Heart, the murderer felt his actions were justified and is not haunted by his deed. 
• Annabel Lee (1848)
• This was one of Poe's last great works, a romantic poem yet again about the loss of a beautiful woman. Just like in Ligeia, The Raven, or Ulalume the narrator is grieving over the loss of a woman he once loved. He describes how they shared a strong love during their youth by the sea, a love that was so strong that even the angels grew jealous. The narrator is convinced the angels killed her beloved Annabel Lee, however even in death their love shines stronger than ever. He lies by her tomb each night and sees her eyes in the stars of the sky. It is believed Poe wrote this poem for his deceased wife, Virginia Clemm, whom he loved dearly. Despite it's grim matter it ends with an uplifting note, and demonstrates Poe's romantic quality which was almost equally as powerful as his horrific quality. 

TV Series: Bates Motel

Last night I finished the TV series Bates Motel and found it to be very entertaining and well written. It aired from March 2013 to April of 2017 with 5 total seasons produced by the A&E network and shared on Netflix. The premise of the show is a prequel to the character of Norman Bates portrayed in Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1960 film, Psycho. I usually tend to dislike this type of genre that is crime, thriller, or horror related, but I do appreciate classic cinema and pop-culture references. And the film Psycho is often considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.

Also I enjoy the actress Vera Farmiga and find her to be quite enticing on the screen. She brilliantly plays Norman's possessive mother, Norma (of which we only see the corpse of from the movie). The psychotic character of Norman Bates is played by the young and convincing Freddie Highmore. He is innocent and sweet yet falls further and further into madness as the show progresses. Both actors went on to win critical acclaim for their dramatic performances and the show for me ranks up there with some of my favorites.

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho

I suppose first it's best to describe the source material which is that of Hitchcock's film, Psycho. The film is often regarded as Hitchcock's greatest work and often considered among the greatest films of all time. It demonstrated unusual plot twists, sexual elements, psychotic themes, and a graphic display of violence for it's time. The infamous shower stabbing scene was no doubt the film's greatest claim to fame and has become a pop-culture reference today. 

The film's most iconic character is the antagonist Norman Bates. He is a motel manager who appears to be a sweet young man living with his mother. However we later find out in the film, that his mother is dead and Norman is psychotically imitating her thru a multiple personality disorder. When he becomes his mother he slashes out at others who want to get in the way of their relationship. The film ends with Norman being caught and institutionalized which gives an open end to the character. Numerous sequels, spin-offs, and books have expanded on this intriguing character.

The Characters of Bates Motel

The TV series is somewhat of a loose adaptation of the original movie with several major differences. For starters the show takes place in modern day Oregon where as in the movie, the motel was located in California. Also the movie took place at present day 1960, so if this were to be a true prequel it should be set in the 1950s rather than the 2010s. However the biggest difference was no doubt the ending which completely breaks away from the original film plot. I found this ending to the show to be very surprising, but I'll get into this later. For now I'm going to describe the characters of the show.

Norman Bates: (Played by Freddie Highmore) I remember watching Freddie Highmore as a kid in various movies such as Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and August Rush but this role as the iconic Norman Bates was no doubt his breakthrough coming-of-age performance. This character appears extremely sweet and innocent on the outside yet is extremely perturbed on the inside. From an early age he experiences blackouts, one of which he murders his abusive father, causing his mother to rellocate them to Oregon. His mother is extremely protective and possessive of him, which only worsens his condition throughout the series. Norman commits several murders throughout the series, often in the guise of his mother, which we later discover is his split personality. His relationship with his mother is a very complicated one in which he despises her for her control yet he also can't live without her. His madness reaches full flight when he murders his mother, digs her out of the grave, and brings her back to live with him. He continues to experience blackouts and imitates his mother whenever he feels stressed out. Norman Bates is the ultimate case of bipolar disorder disorder. 

Norma Bates: (played by Vera Farmiga) I've been a fan of the actress Vera Farmiga since I first saw her in The Departed. I've also enjoyed her performances in The Boy in Striped Pajamas, Up in the Air, and Henry's Crime. She's has a unique quality about her character I find to be quite alluring (maybe it's the Ukrainian eyes). Nonetheless she is a big part of the reason I began watching this show and can argue this is probably her best role to date. She plays the domineering mother of Norman Bates. While Norma's character is portrayed as a bit worrisome and over-protective, her primary interest is that of her troubled son, Norman. She displays very strong qualities of business management yet also has a darker side of manipulation and constant scheming. She constantly covers up her son's crimes and can not fully convince herself that he needs to be institutionalized. Norma eventually does start to seek help for her son's insanity when she begins a relationship with Sheriff Romero. However seeing the affect it has on her son, she calls the entire relationship off with Romero. Norman however has been filled with anger and jealousy over being institutionalized and orchestrates a murder-suicide thru carbon monoxide. He lies with his mother in bed, as the gases from the furnace kill his mother, while Norman is able to survive.

Dylan Masset: (played by Max Thieriot) He is the distant half-brother of Norman who has also has a complicated relationship with his mother, Norma. He is strong and independent and wants to be a part of the family, but has trouble getting between Norman and Norma. He later discovers that he is the product of an incestuous relationship with Norma and her elder brother who raped her. Dylan eventually meets his father and gets involved in a drug business for a while before breaking free of it. He later gets married to one of Norman's friends Emma, and moves away from the family. In the final season Dylan returns to help his lonely brother Norman and ends up killing him in a scuffle they have.

Emma Decody: (played by Olivia Cooke) She suffers from cystic fibrosis in the first few seasons and develops a friendship with Norman. She works at the motel and gets a first hand account of Norman's strange behavior as well as his mother's domineering character. She later stops working at the motel and grows close to Norman's brother Dylan. They eventually get married together and have a child.

Alex Romero: (played by Nestor Carbonell) He is the town's sheriff who is often called in on cases pertaining to Norman. However he develops feelings for Norman's mother, Norma which brings a conflict of interest to his investigative duties. He later marries Norma in order to help fund Norman's medical treatment, however is arrested for perjury charges. In season 5 he is driven mad with vengeance as he escapes prison to murder Norman. He is however shocked at the site of Norma's dead frozen body and in turn Norman kills him.

Bradley Martin: (played by Nicola Peltz) She is the popular and attractive classmate of Norman who develops a friendship and even a romantic relationship with him. However she later gets in trouble with the law, and flees town. She tries to convince Norman to join her and Norman initially agrees, until he has a blackout episode and takes on his mother's persona to kill her.

Caleb Calhoun: (played by Kenny Johnson) He is the elder brother of Norma and incestuous father of Dylan. He raped Norma as a child yet also claimed that he defended her from their abusive father. When he returns to town, Norma wants nothing to do with him and accidentally tells Dylan that he is the product of an incestuous relationship causing Dylan to leave the family. Caleb gets closer with his son, while working on a pot farm and even helps Dylan break clean from the dangerous business. In season 5 Caleb is imprisoned by Norman, in the guise of Norma, and later hit by a car and killed in at attempt to escape.


The Season Finale

The biggest problem I had with this show was how it ended, which was not quite in line with the original movie. I anticipated that this show was a prequel that would explain the death of Norman's mother and how he got to be the sole manager of the Bates Motel. Instead the show completely re-wrote the original version by taking some parts from the 1960 story and essentially bringing the story to an abrupt end rather then it's open ending that came from the movie.

The iconic character of Marion Crane (who was stabbed in the shower in the 1960 film) played a minor role in Season 5 (played by Rihanna) however not the same role she had in the movie. She visited the motel to await her lover, and did have a friendly exchange with Norman. However unlike the movie, Norman convinced her to leave and instead killed not her but her lover in the shower. At this point it became clear that the show was no longer a prequel with intentions to lead up to the movie. Instead season 5 had merged with the timeline from the movie and was now incorporating material from the movie's story line.

In the final conclusion of the show, Norman was facing multiple murder trials and his escape was looking very unlikely. However there was an X factor in the plot thanks to Sheriff Romero and his quest for mad vengeance. He managed to break Norman out of prison to take him to see the dead corpse of Norma. Norman was then able to kill the sheriff and return to the motel, leaving question as to when the cops would find him. However before the cops could discover where Norman he invited his brother Dylan over to have dinner with their dead mom. This was too much for Dylan to bear and lead to a heated argument urging Norman to get medical help. At which point Norman charged Dylan with a knife and Dylan shot Norman dead. As Norman died he thanked Dylan for re-uniting him with his mother.

In summary the show offers an incredible deep dive into the mind of the psychotic character that is Norman Bates. It presents a setting of characters and story-lines that impact Norman's unique multi-layered personality. Throughout the 5 seasons we experience Norman fall further and further into madness, no thanks of course to the stubborn control of his mother. While the show somewhat goes of course from the movie's original plot, it is still a very well written series. The critically acclaimed performances of Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga make this show all the more entertaining.  would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys crime shows or psychological thrillers. 

Movie Masterpiece: Cold Mountain

This film, Cold Mountain, directed by Anthony Minghella, has been one of my favorites for some time now and I especially enjoy watching it in the falltime. It's an epic war-romance film set during the Civil War and the Siege of Petersburg. The story is based off the award winning novel by Charles Fraizer. It exceeds in every film category with every ingredient I love about a movie; from it's historical setting, it's great story, great acting, great visuals, and a great score/soundtrack. It was released in 2003, nominated for 7 academy awards, and in my opinion can truly be considered a modern classic. 

The Story

Charles Fraizer's novel incorporates the dramatic format of love in the time of crisis. This story line especially resonates with me since it's bases around a real historical crisis. Consider other successful stories such as Doctor Zhivago, Reds, Gone with the Wind, and Titanic to name a few. All romantic stories set in the backdrop of a terrible, historic event. This recipe of mixing history and romance brings forth such great insight as well as powerful drama; no doubt one of the reasons Cold Mountain is such a great catch.

The story is set in the town of Cold Mountain, North Carolina during the 1860s at the start of the Civil War. Ada moves to town with her father, the preacher, and she quickly catches the eye of a quiet woodworker, named Inman. The two have a very brief relationship consisting of short conversations yet very strong feelings for one another. Before they can take their relationship to the next level, the War breaks out, and Inman must leave to join the Confederate Army. Before he parts, the two share a very passionate kiss, and Ada tells him she will wait for him.

After several years separated by war, Ada's father dies and she begins to struggle and lose hope on her farm in Cold Mountain. She looks into a well and sees a vision of Inman returning to her that gives her hope. She writes to him begging that he pleaes come back to her. When he received the letter, Inman is also war-weary having suffered terrible injuries at the Siege of Petersburg. Knowing well that he can be executed for treason for deserting, he leaves the army to return to his love at Cold Mountain. His journey home however is a perilous and full of many obstacles (it's a theme very similar to the Odyssey, in which Odysseus journeys back to his faithful wife Penelope after the Trojan War )

Meanwhile, as Inman travels to Cold Mountain, Ada finds support on her farm from a resourceful laborer named Ruby. With Ruby's help, Ada is able to salvage her land and generate enough produce to get through the winter. However the two soon find themselves in a conundrum when they begin aiding several deserters including Ruby's father. This catches the attention of the local militia known as the Confederate Home Guard, who are keen on hunting any deserters and supporters. It appears a confrontation is inevitable between Ada and the Home Guard, however not before Inman reunites with his love at last, in perfect timing. 

Ada doesn't recognize him at first, however is then reminded of the vision she saw in the well and they embrace dearly. The two make love and have a quick marriage. They then make plans to live apart until the war ends for her safety. However before they can part, they are confronted by the home guard and a shootout takes place in the mountain. Inman is shot as he fends off the threat and tragically dies in the arms of Ada. Several years later Ada and her daughter live peacefully on the farm with Ruby and their loved ones.   

The Characters of the Film

It's especially enticing to see historical novels adapted to the screen because it gives us a chance to witness a period only known in books. The setting of this film takes us back to North Carolina of the 1860s. Anthony Minghella employs numerous techniques to establish the backdrop. It begins with scenes of the war and is contrasted by the the beautiful town of Cold Mountain, located high up in the country meadows of North Carolina. Then there's the costumes, the dialects, and the top quality acting which truly establish the period. The cast in this film is full of star-power, each actor playing a distinctive character that accentuates the flow of the story.

The character of W.P Inman is a shy and quiet country worker, true to his southern ways yet also a hopeless romantic at heart. This portrayal by British actor, Jude Law, was very emotional and won him an Oscar nomination. He says very little in the film, however his expressions and emotions are quite convincing throughout the film.

The character of Ada Monroe is the cliche country belle, daughter of the preacher, who must endure a terrible conflict. She falls for Inman all too naturally and is then separated from him before they can get to know one another. She then loses her father as well as her slaves and must survive on a farm without any labor experience. Ncole Kidman does an excellent job in bringing her charm and passion to this character. 

One of the favorite, most lovable characters of the film is no doubt Ruby, a homeless farmer, who comes to Ada's help in a dire time. She is spunky as she is resourceful and just the motivation and companionship Ada needed to salvage her land. This entertaining character won actress Renee Zellweger her first Academy Award. 

Ada's father, Reverend Monroe is played by Donald Sutherland. He is a peaceful character filled with the spirit of God, against the war, and very grateful for the companionship of his daughter. His departure from the story is Ada's turning point.

The characters of Sally and Esco befriend Ada at Cold Mountain and offer her support until they are discovered for harboring their deserting children. They are played by Kathy Baker and James Gammon.

The father of Ruby is also a very enjoyable character played by Brendan Gleeson. He is a Confederate deserter, who treated his daughter poorly before the war however eager to make amends with her. He convinces her that he is a changed man through his new found love of the fiddle.

The antagonist of the film, is Teague, captain of the Home Guard who has his eyes set on Ada as well as her land. He is a cruel sadistic villain, played by Ray Winstone, who shows no mercy towards deserters. 

Other notable characters Inman meets along his trail are an immoral priest played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a whisky brewer who shelters and betrays him played by Giovanni Ribisi, and a widowed woman who shelters Inman, played by Natalie Portman. 

Historical Look: The Battle of the Crater

Although the story is set during the Civil War, it can hardly be considered a war film and is much rather a romantic drama. There is one great battle at the beginning (The Siege of Petersburg) and several skirmishes with Union soldiers and Confederate Home Guards throughout Inamn's journey. It's fair to say the war in this story is used primarily as a barrier between Ada and Inman. Nonetheless it still provides juicy historical insight to this bloodiest war on American soil. The opening scenes of the Battle of the Crater are quite surreal.

In June of 1864, the Siege of Petersburg was one of the final major campaigns of the Civil War. The siege was initiated by the Union Army under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant and Ambroise Burnside at the city of Petersburg, Virginia. They were met by a defiant Confederate force led by Robert E. Lee and William Mahone. It was a very drawn out siege, 9 nine months of trench warfare extending over 30 miles from Richmond to Petersburg. One of the first major confrontations of this siege was the Battle of the Crater, considered by many the most catastrophic battles of the war.

The battle unfolded on July 30th of 1864 under the command of Gen Ambroise Burnside. The Union plan was to pierce the Confederate lines through a major explosion within a mine. However after the explosion, the Union soldier's charged themselves into a crater in the ground, where they found themselves trapped and cornered. At that point the advantage quickly turned to the Confederate's favor. Gen. William Mahone lead a counter-attack on the confused Union soldiers in what has been labeled as a "turkey shot". The casualties were very high for the Union army and a total embarrassment for Gen Ambroise who resigned as a result of this disastrous defeat.

Musical Look: Bluegrass and Fiddle

One of the defining characteristics of this film is it's original folk soundtrack. It was produced by T Bone Burnett (who also did O Brother Where Art Tho) and features tracks from several famed musicians such as Jack White, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello, and Sting. There's also an original score to the film, composed by Gabriel Yaread, (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley) which was nominated for an Oscar. One of my favorites melodies in the film is the piano composition of "Ada Plays." There were also two songs in the film nominated for Oscars; "Scarlet Tide" and "You Will Be My Ain True Love". 

This soundtrack does an incredible job of driving the mood in this 1860's war/love story. It incorporates elements of bluegrass, gospel, blues, country, and folk music. This type of music is usually not my preference, (especially country) however I do enjoy folk rock and cultural music. Over the years I have begun to admire the fiddle and bluegrass for  unique cultural sound, especially come fall time. Some of the fiddle tracks I especially enjoy in the film are "Ruby with the Eyes that Sparkle" and "Great High Mountain".

Another unique musical element of this soundtrack is it's Christian Choral pieces by the Sacred Harp of Liberty Church. This song inclusion is no doubt a historical reference to the protestant influence of the 1800s. In the film, the town of Cold Mountain is very united in their church and this is demonstrated by their a-cappella worship songs. One in particular that riles the emotions is "I'm Going Home" performed in great harmony before the news of the Civil War breaks. Whether you prefer christian, gospel, or catholic music, one can't deny the powerful lyrics and melody of this tune. 

Here is a full list of the movie's soundtrack: 

1. Wayfaring Stranger - Jack White

2. Like A Songbird That Has Fallen - Reeltime Travelers

3. I Wish My Baby Was Born - Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus & Tim O'Brien

4. The Scarlet Tide - Alison Krauss

5. The Cuckoo - Tim Eriksen & Riley Baugus

6. Sittin' On Top Of The World - Jack White

7. Am I Born To Die? - Tim Eriksen

8. You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Krauss

9. I'm Going Home - Sacred Harp Singers At Liberty Church

10. Never Far Away - Jack White

11. Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over - Jack White

12. Ruby With The Eyes That Sparkle - Stuart Duncan & Dirk Powell

13. Lady Margret - Cassie Franklin

14. Great High Mountain - Jack White

15. Anthem - Gabriel Yared

16. Ada Plays - Gabriel Yared

17. Ada And Inman - Gabriel Yared

18. Love Theme - Gabriel Yared

19. Idumea - Sacred Harp Singers At Liberty Church

Top Ten: Most Influential Animated Films (3-1)

I decided to post my top 3 influential films in a separate entry, because they each had a far greater impact on me than the others (10 through 4). This is most likely because I watched each of these 3 movies at a very young developing age. They are perhaps the first animated films in which I followed and understood the plot line. They had a very emotional impact on me as a kid, and to this day they bring a nostalgic quality when I watch them again.

3. Dumbo (1941) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This is quite possibly one of the saddest films ever, however it has a happy ending. It's set in a circus, where a baby elephant, Dumbo, is ridiculed for his abnormally large ears. Despite the irregularity his mother loves her newborn child unconditionally. Dumbo is separated from her however, when she loses her temper to protect him from the ridicule. She is locked away and Dumbo must make it on his own with the help of a mouse. He is however very unhappy working at the circus as a clown and misses his mother dearly. He visits her at her confinement, where she cradles him, in a very sad musical sequence. He then has a drunken hallucination with his mouse friend, of which they later realize he can fly. With the support of the mouse and some crows he is able to put his flying skills to the test. At the grand circus show he has a glorious moment by taking flight for all to see and ridiculing all those who ridiculed him. He is able to use his abnormal ears to achieve fame and fortune and is happily reunited with his mother in the end.

Tragedy and Resolve: The young baby Dumbo must overcome all sorts of adversity. First there is his abnormal ears and dealing with the ridicule. However his biggest challenge is the tragedy of being separated from his mother. He is eventually able to overcome the terrible situation thanks to the companionship of friends and inner strength.

Themes: This movie deals with extremely mature themes way beyond a child's developing mind. The central theme is overcoming adversity yet there are also themes of loss, rejection, loneliness, companionship, motherly love, and inner strength. One thing to consider when watching this Disney classic, is the time period that it came out. It was released in 1940 after the Great Depression and the onset of World War II. The setting of this movie is no doubt a bit gloomy due to the time period it was released.  Despite the controversies and extremely sad moments I still think Disney's intentions were for the best. They managed to produce a creative story, with real-life conflicts, and brought it all together with a happy-fairy-tale ending. It's no doubt a classic influential animation. (However I would suggest watching it as an early teenager instead of a child) 

Personal Significance: I remember we owned the VHS of Dumbo, and I watched it several times on our old box TV. I must have been no more than 5 years old, in pre-K or kindergarten. I enjoyed the music and the happy ending, however I also remember it always hit some emotional nerves. I vividly remember the traumatic moments of when Dumbo is ridiculed and separated from his mother. The Baby Mine scene where Dumbo's incarcerated mother cradles her child is perhaps one of the saddest scenes in movie history. Then there was the hallucination scene, Pink Elephants, which also disturbed me immensely. I watched it several times as a child, and believe it was one of the first films to make me feel real genuine emotions.

2. Fantasia (1940) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This unique Disney animation is a program of 8 mini-stories that give homage to classical music. Each section has an animated theme reflective of it's classical score. The first part is a show of abstract colors and lines to the score of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. The second part is a season changing dance of flowers, mushrooms, and leaves to the score of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The third part is the classic Mickey Mouse magician apprentice to the score of Paul Dukas. The fourth is a visual history of the creation of earth with a score from Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. The fifth is an intermission and introduction of the musical elements of the orchestra.

The sixth part is my favorite, a homage to Greek mythology with centaurs, unicorns, angels, and Gods. It is carried by the beautiful score of Ludwig Van Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. The seventh part is a comic ballet between hippos, ostriches, elephants, and alligators to the score of Dance of the Hours by Amilcare Ponchielli. The eighth and perhaps most frightening as a kid is the Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky. This final section demonstrates a horrifying devil on a mountain summoning evil spirits, until he is subdued by heavenly bells and a chorus of angels. It's an inspiring ending for such an inspiring movie.

Themes: This is a very unusual animated film as it does not follow a linear plot however is more of a visual and musical stimulation. I suppose the most obvious theme here is an appreciation on the aesthetics of music. However I think there are also themes of love and faith that can be pulled from each minor plot, especially in the case of the Pastoral Symphony and Night on Bald Mountain.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this as a young kid and it always made me feel happy. It had
such a dreamlike quality to it by blending it's animation with beautiful music. My favorite scene was the Pastoral Symphony, for it's heavenly mythological setting of a Greek vineyard. The final sequence on Bald Mountain always use to horrify me, however I enjoyed the religious ending. This film greatly influenced me,  most notably my appreciation of classical music, Greek mythology, and world culture.

1. Land Before Time (1988) Sullivan Bluth Studios

Plot Line: This movie also has powerful emotional moments in it. There is terrible tragedy yet happy resolution in the end. It was not produced by Walt Disney, yet by an all-star production team of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and incredible music from James Horner. It's set at the end of the Cretaceous Period, where a terrible drought has caused dinosaurs to migrate for food and water. One of these dinosaurs is an Apatosaurus referred to as a "longneck", and gives birth to a baby she calls, "Littlefoot". This opening birth scene is very awe-inspiring as it demonstrates the strong love between a mother and her child. However as the herd continues to travel, they are attacked by a T-Rex known as SharkTooth. The mother confronts the T-rex and drives him away yet loses her life in protecting her child. Littlefoot must then continue on his own in search of the Great Valley. He is fortunately joined by several other children who have been separated from their parents (Cera the "three-horn", Ducky the "swimmer", Petrie the "flyer", and Spike the "spiketail") The team of five work together to journey through the barren lands of the dying dinosaur age. They have one final confrontation with SharkTooth and then are able to reach the Great Valley. Littlefoot is happily reunited with his grandparents in the end.

Tragedy and Resolve: Similar to Lion King and Dumbo there is a terrible tragic event at the opening of this film where a child is separated from their parent. The death of Littlefoot's mom is an extremely sad, traumatic event for the young viewer. Littlefoot is left alone in a very cruel desolate place. However he is able to press on with his mother's wisdom as well as help from his new companions.

Themes: This film also deals with very mature themes for the young viewer. There is first a strong element of motherly love that sets the tone, however this tone is abruptly pulled away. The viewer must then endure themes of loss, loneliness, and fear, that eventually shape into themes of courage, companionship, and inner-strength.

Personal Significance: I must have been 5 or 6 years old when I watched this and it influenced me greatly. I especially loved the score from James Horner and Dianna Ross's hit song "If We Hold on Together". I believe this movie inspired my fascination with dinosaurs for the next several years as a kid. The emotions I felt were always so powerful watching this film. It influenced me greatly as a kid and to this day it has a heavenly and nostalgic quality to it.



Top Ten Influential Classics

1. Land Before Time (1988)
2. Fantasia (1940)
3. Dumbo (1941)
4. Lion King (1994)
5. Aladdin (1992)
6. Little Mermaid (1989)
7. Goofy Movie (1995)
8. Anastasia (1997)
9. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
10. Robin Hood (1973)

Classic Honorable Mentions

1. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
2. Sword and the Stone (1963)
3. Brave Little Toaster (1987)
4. Peter Pan (1953)
5. The Jungle Book (1967)
6. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
7. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
8. Oliver and Company (1988)
9. Pinocchio (1940)
10. Hercules (1997)

Modern Digital Mentions

1. Toy Story (1995)
2. Happy Feet (2006)
3. Shrek (2001)
4. Finding Nemo (2003)
5. The Incredibles (2004)
6. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
7. Ice Age (2002)
8. A Bugs Life (1998)
9. Monsters Inc (2001)
10. Wall-E (2008)

Top Ten: Most Influential Animated Films (10-4)

There's no greater influence on the young developing mind than a powerful movie. This is my own personal list, not so much of my favorite animated films yet rather my most influential ones. It's a study of the ten films that shaped my mind as a young boy, from their adventurous plots to their underlying themes. They bring a nostalgic quality when I'm reminded of them today. Few notes about the list.

• This list may reflect my gender and the period I grew up in (Male, born in 1984)
• Four of these films deal with mature and tragic themes of loss
• Two of them were not produced by Walt Disney Studios
• There are several classics I never remember watching as a kid such as Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. (Most of which were girl stories anyway) Although I admire their legacy, they never impacted me as a child and therefore are not on this list
• Some honorable mentions include Beauty and the Beast, The Sword in the Stone, and The Brave Little Toaster.  

10. Robin Hood (1973) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: The classic tale of Robin Hood is told through animals as the main characters. The setting is an old British town of Nottingham during the middle ages. Robin Hood is the protagonist fox who teams with his pal Little John, a bear, to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Prince John is the antagonist lion who has swindled his brother, King Arthur, into taking the throne and taxing the people. Robin Hood must team up with his pals, including the Friar Tuck and the Maid Marian to make right the injustice of Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham.  

Themes: Some of the obvious themes in this story are courage, sharing, charity, companionship, and the evils of excessive greed. Although Robin Hood is somewhat of a criminal, his motives are not selfish yet for the good of his companions. He is willing to put his own safety at risk for the bettering of others, which makes him an aspiring hero to the young viewers.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at Grandma Hilda's in Battle Creek with the cousins. The ending always brought such a warm happy feeling.


9. Lady and the Tramp (1955) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: A domesticated dog, Lady, falls for a stray street dog, Tramp. Lady finds herself being pushed aside when her owners have a baby, and it is through Tramp's free spirit style of life she finds hope again. Their love is best captured at an Italian spaghetti dinner where they share their first kiss.

Themes: The obvious theme is romance however the fact that these two dogs are so different is the greater takeaway in my opinion. One dog is well-mannered while the other is wild. Perhaps opposites attract could be one of the underlying messages of this film.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at a very young age at our home in Park Ave. I especially remember this curious feeling I felt when they shared that last pasta noodle. It's likely I didn't care much for girls at the time and maybe didn't fully understand it, however it was certainly the most memorable emotion I felt from this classic film.

8. Anastasia (1997) Fox Animation Studios

Plot Line: Set during the historical Russian Revolution, this story gives an intriguing twist on the murder of Tsar Nicholas and his family. The story begins with tragedy as we learn that Anastasia was once a princess who loss all her family to a terrible sorcerer named Rasputin. She then must grow up on her own, and embark on a journey to discover her past, during which she also finds love.

Tragedy and Resolve: This movie begins with a tragic conflict with the terrible loss of Anastasia's family. She must dig deep from within to face the adversity and loneliness of her past to discover who she is.

Themes: This is a coming-of-age story, in which the young Anastasia embarks on a journey of self discovery despite her terrible past as an orphan. There are also themes of love, loneliness, inner-strength, and courage.

Personal Significance: I was 13 years old when this movie came out, and it was probably the last animation that really influenced me. I remember the animation was quite groundbreaking at the time and the music was also very enjoyable. This was perhaps my first big introduction to Russian culture and it all fascinated me as a teenager.


7. A Goofy Movie (1995) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: A young teenager, Max, wants to impress a girl in his school and he does this by breaking the rules. As a form of punishment he goes on a long camping trip with his father, Goofy, for some quality father-son bonding. Throughout which he connects with his father, becomes proud of his goofy personality, and happens to get the girl as well in the end.

Themes: The big message of this film is self-esteem. The young Max, is somewhat ashamed of his goofy traits and his goofy father, and tries to change his image. Yet it's through his father that he discovers he should be proud of who he is.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this film when I was 12, and could totally relate to the scenario, especially being a boy scout at the time. I also really enjoyed the music of this film and would sing the songs constantly with my family and friends.


6. The Little Mermaid (1989) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This fantasy is a love story between Aerial a mermaid princess who falls in love with a human sailor. She however must come to the harsh realization that she cannot live on dry land, yet with her peers under the sea. In an act of desperation she sells her voice to a sorceress, Ursula, so that she can become human. However this plan backfires on her, and she is imprisoned to Ursula. At the end she must team up with her friends and family to defeat the evil witch.

Themes: This story has several subtle themes scattered throughout the romantic adventure that it is. The biggest message is to follow your heart and not be afraid to dream beyond any barriers that may be. However it also suggests that friends and family are equally as important, and one shouldn't push them aside in their quest for love.

Personal Significance: I remember enjoying everything about this underwater fantasy the first time I saw it. From the characters, the colorful sea, the beautiful mermaid princess Aerial, and especially the music. This film ushered in a new era of animations, in what has become known as the Disney Renaissance. From 1989 to 1999 I grew up with this string of successful Disney films such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King to name a few, all of which have influenced me immensely.

5. Aladdin (1992) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: The story takes place in a fictional setting in Arabia. The street-rat Aladdin falls for the princess Jasmine who is wandering the streets in disguise. He is however captured by the wicked sorcerer Jafar, and must set off on a mission to recover a magic lamp. He is able to keep the lamp for himself, of which there a genie grants him three wishes. He is unable to make Jasmine fall in love with him, however uses his first wish to woo her. He is eventually unable to impress her with the material stuff, yet only his true self. In the end he must team up with her to defeat Jafar who has bewitched the sultan and taken over the kingdom.

Themes: Quite a few in this one. Once again there is the love story of opposites attract (rich woman and poor man.) There are themes of courage, companionship, and charity to the poor. Yet I think the biggest underlying theme is to be true to yourself.

Personal Significance: I was about 9 years old when this one came out and I remember it was very influential to me for several reasons. I think I was in 3rd grade, and it was all the buzz with my classmates. I remember especially being in awe of the princess Jasmine, and it was perhaps one of the first times I truly admired a woman. I'm quite sure it was that same year I began having crushes on the girls in my grade as well. The movie was filled with excitement, good laughs, and incredible music.


4. Lion King (1994) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: Set in the animal kingdom of Africa the young prince Simba, must cope with the terrible loss of his father Mufasa. He chooses to flee and grow up in the wild with two friends Simon and Pumba. He eventually realizes that he must come to terms with his past, face his enemy Scar, and claim his rightful throne.

Tragedy and Resolve: A child loses his father in a traumatic staged murder. He then chooses to run and hide from the guilt and sadness. With the support of his friends however, Simba is able to dig deep to face his past. He chooses to courageously face his enemy Scar and fight for what is rightfully his.

Themes: This story hits the young viewer with a heavy dose of tragedy only to make the climb all the more rewarding in the end. This is truly one of Disney's classic gems with mature themes of inner-strength, companionship, love, family, and courage to name a few.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this movie over and over again, playing the video games, re-enacting the story with my cousins, and always signing the songs. Although it had a very tragic moment, this movie was unusually uplifting with its colorful setting and music.

Influential Animated Classics

I rarely watch animated movies anymore, however yesterday I was reminded of their influential significance on children. This was after I decided to put Dumbo on yesterday, while I did some chores. I was immediately hooked by this old Disney classic of which I had not seen since I was very young. I always remember how sad the movie made me, especially when Dumbo is separated from his mother. After watching it yesterday, the movie still had a very emotional and nostalgic affect on me, and I think there's value in that worth considering here.

Walt Disney Studios

Since the creation of television and movies, animation has been a key component of the medium. This is because it is able to successfully target it's colorful illustrations and stories with children. It was Walt Disney who first made the art of animation popular in the late 1930's with his creation of Mickey Mouse and first feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Ever since Walt Disney Pictures have been the staple for top quality animated feature films.

After it's success from Snow White, Walt Disney Studios released a string of successful feature animated films. In 1940 it released it's second major feature in Pinocchio followed by Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi (of which I've yet to see the latter). In the 50s they had another string of successful features with Cinderella, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Sleeping Beauty. The studio then began to dip for the next couple decades until it returned to prominence once again in 1989 with the release of The Little Mermaid. This ushered in a new era, known as the Disney Renaissance, of which I grew up with, that saw consecutive successful films such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, Goofy Movie, Pocahontas, Toy Story, Hercules, and Mulan.

With the release of Toy Story in 1995 a new age of digital animation began, and this is perhaps when these movies began to lose their influential power over me. Nonetheless Disney's success continued into new generations with their new digital format such as Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Wall-E, Up, and so forth. And although the illustrations and technology has changed the stories and messages of these films still serve as important influences on the young mind.

The Influential Role of Animations

Cartoons and animation have always best captured the imagination of children. From their colorful illustrations, the characters, the music and sounds, to the story lines, it's always the stuff of fantasy. Both parents and producers alike understand this convenient tool to shape the curious young mind. Therefore it is upon the producers to embed a creative story with real life lessons to shape the mind in a positive direction.

This recipe is quite simple. First they hook the child with an incredible fictional setting so they can capture their imagination; then they introduce some conflict so the young viewer can understand that the world is a complicated place; finally they bring it all together in an optimistic happy ending, so the child can walk away with their hope and innocence still intact. In the end it's the subtle lessons within the story that will forever shape the young mind's subconscious, in a very powerful way. Walt Disney has especially succeeded in this art. In the next post I'll highlight my top 10 films that most influenced me as a child. 

Movie Masterpiece: To the Wonder

I first watched this Terrance Malick art film last fall with my friend, Lauren, and my instant reaction was similar to watching Tree of Life; beautiful images yet boring plot. However in the days that followed, I found myself thinking more and more about the movie, and decided to watch it a 2nd and 3rd time. It was then that I realized that this movie, similar to Tree of Life and The New World, was a masterpiece because of it's unusual filming technique and open ending. It doesn't have much dialogue or a linear plot, however flows together in this incredible musical dance of emotions. It's one of those films that requires immense patience, and is very open for interpretation.

The Character Driven Story

So yes there is a plot, however it's vague and up to the viewer to piece everything together. The film begins with two lovers in Paris, France; Neil a quiet mysterious American and Mariana, a manic Ukrainian divorcee. They are played brilliantly by Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko (Olga should have received an Oscar nod for this emotional character). The opening 10-min sequence of this film is astounding, as it captures their new found love. This is achieved through extreme close-ups, a beautiful violin score by Hanan Townshead, the backdrop of Paris, France, and the heavenly setting of Mont St. Michael; their wonder. By the end of this first sequence it is clear that Neil and Mariana are mad in love with each other. She is willing to bring her child to move back to America with him.

Once they arrive to Oklahoma, the honeymoon of their love slowly fades off as Neil returns back to work and Mariana grows uncomfortable with her new setting. To add to this her daughter is also unhappy and unable to make friends in her new school. Mariana reaches out to the local priest for support, Father Quintana, also played brilliantly by Javier Bardem. The priest is very involved in his community however undergoing a conflict of his own, his faith. He administers to the poor, sick, and imprisoned yet questions where is God in all this suffering. He however continues to press on while preaching about the duty of love.

After three months it becomes evident that Neil and Mariana's relationship is not long-term. Although they have their fun moments, their seems to be too much indifference between them, perhaps a cultural barrier. Once her visa has expired she leaves back to Paris with her daughter. Neil is saddened by her sudden departure however goes on with his life. He emerges himself in his work for a while until he meets up with an old friend, Jane, played by Rachel McAdams. She is also going through some hardships of her own, as she has loss her child, divorced her husband, and is about to lose her ranch. The two of them share some intimate moments however Neil is unwilling to commit to her love. Part of this could be because Mariana writes to him, stating that she wants to come back to the states. This is not to be mistaken as a love triangle however, as it appears the two relationships happen separate from one another at different times.

Neil breaks off ties with Jane, and welcomes Mariana back into his life. Her daughter has moved in with her dad in France. The two quickly get married in court, so that she can have a permanent residence there. However the conflict still remains, and their love becomes a neurotic one, filled with extreme ups and downs and constant fights. She eventually cheats on him, and this is the final straw for Neil who divorces her. Mariana is later seen with a new child while Neil turns to the priest for support. 

Father Quintana is very sympathetic to his parishioners yet continues to struggle with his own faith. In a powerful sequence he prays that God will always be with him and shine through him. He finally decides perhaps a change of location will do him best and he leaves for Kansas. Neil and Mariana make peace with their divorce, and say their final goodbye at the airport as she once again returns to France. At the end of the film we are left with another abstract sequence of beautiful images. It appears Neil has found solace at a heavenly place with a child, while Mariana awakes in a loss world fixated upon the Mont St. Michael wonder.  

Malick's Original Filming Style

Terrance Malick has mastered the art of expressive film-making as seen in his previous works such as Days of Heaven, To the Wonder, and Tree of Life. His filming style is quite unique, as he utilizes natural light as well as improv acting to make every scene all the more realistic. Both the camera and characters are in constant motion in every single shot. This constant motion is carried by a beautiful score, real outdoor settings, and real acting. It's as if this film is a non-stop ballet of images and feelings. 

It's my understanding that this film is a personal story of Malick's past relationships. It's no doubt a very conflicted story with four conflicted characters. Each character embodies strong emotions; Neil is reserved and unsure of what he wants, Mariana is manic-depressive and a neurotic lover, Jane is a practical person with unfortunate luck, and the priest is very pensive yet still focused. Malick brilliantly captures this character driven story with minimal dialogue, poetic narrative, and pure human expression. 

Final Interpretation

I've watched this film probably 5 times now, and every time I walk away with a slightly different perspective or new understanding of it. I think that's the brilliance of Malick's work here, and that's what separates a great film from a masterful film. In the end I think the priest's faith is the foundation of the story. While the other characters are floating around aimlessly it is the priest who holds everything together. He does this through his patient council, his wise narrative, and his unyielding resolve. He describes love as a duty that comes from a divine source. Although he is conflicted himself, he is able to endure his struggles by making a change and taking his faith to a new level. 

While the priest is able to overcome his conflict, Mariana, Neil, and Jane do not. This failure of love is especially emphasized in the case of Mariana and Neil. They experience love to the highest degree, which is their wonder, however are unable to sustain it as a duty in everyday life. I think the final message of this film is to share your faith and love together as a constant duty.

The ending sequence of this film has especially impacted me for its vague finale. I think it represents some kind of metaphoric after-life, perhaps heaven or purgatory. Mariana awakes in a barren field and undergoes a series of fast changing emotions. She seems free, curious, afraid, alone, and filled with excitement as she approaches the wonder where she fell in love. I think this wonder represents everyone's ultimate desire; love and happiness to the highest degree.