Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:10 am Posts: 17256 Location: Chichen to the Thing
I'll agree that the end was a little underwhelming, but I loved the shit out of this movie... I'm a sucker for movies about writing, as I am trying to become a failed one.
_________________ I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
I thought they explained the ending pretty well. The author rewarded him for being brave enough to face death and save that kid, even though he knew it would kill him.
Either way, even if they did puss out, they were very self-effacing about it.
One thing I didn't notice until I watched one of the featurettes, did anyone else notice that as Will Ferrell looked around at the beginning the lines in his head straightened out the camera angles and visual lines?
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
The author rewarded him for being brave enough to face death and save that kid, even though he knew it would kill him.
I thought the whole idea was that he didn't have any control over the whole thing, the narrator controlled his future - that's why he went to her asking her not to kill him.
I saw it last night, and really liked it. Hoffman was really good. What else has the narrator been in though?
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
freeman wrote:
I thought the whole idea was that he didn't have any control over the whole thing, the narrator controlled his future - that's why he went to her asking her not to kill him.
Well, that's really the unanswered question about all of our lives, isn't it? Do we have control over our destiny or don't we? The question remained unanswered at the end of the movie so you could come to your own conclusion.
BTW, I shouldn't have posted spoilers, but I did. Can someone edit in a spoiler warning into the title of the thread?
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:10 am Posts: 17256 Location: Chichen to the Thing
B wrote:
freeman wrote:
I thought the whole idea was that he didn't have any control over the whole thing, the narrator controlled his future - that's why he went to her asking her not to kill him.
Well, that's really the unanswered question about all of our lives, isn't it? Do we have control over our destiny or don't we? The question remained unanswered at the end of the movie so you could come to your own conclusion.
BTW, I shouldn't have posted spoilers, but I did. Can someone edit in a spoiler warning into the title of the thread?
This film is really conventional by literary standards. The whole fate vs free will is a pretty "been there done that" subject in the realm of fiction and film, but it's presented in such an invigorating way, it was hard not to knock a tired storytelling device.
And B, I'm not sure I agree with you about the film being left unanswered. I think it's pretty clear that Ferrell's character ultimately has a choice in how his life pans out, even though it took some destiny in the form of the narrator to show him the way.
I'm totally gonna buy this movie.
_________________ I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door
I thought the whole idea was that he didn't have any control over the whole thing, the narrator controlled his future - that's why he went to her asking her not to kill him.
Well, that's really the unanswered question about all of our lives, isn't it? Do we have control over our destiny or don't we? The question remained unanswered at the end of the movie so you could come to your own conclusion.
BTW, I shouldn't have posted spoilers, but I did. Can someone edit in a spoiler warning into the title of the thread?
This film is really conventional by literary standards. The whole fate vs free will is a pretty "been there done that" subject in the realm of fiction and film, but it's presented in such an invigorating way, it was hard not to knock a tired storytelling device.
And B, I'm not sure I agree with you about the film being left unanswered. I think it's pretty clear that Ferrell's character ultimately has a choice in how his life pans out, even though it took some destiny in the form of the narrator to show him the way.
I'm totally gonna buy this movie.
That's well put...
I just re-read the posts, and thought "Gee, that's pretty simplistic", then realised it was my post. I am having a nightmare day/night at work today.
**SPOILER - I'm going to give away the ending of the movie**
Ferrell's character (what was his name again - something Crick right?), he shows that he has some control over his fate - by the fact that he's able to contact the narrator and plead his case, to beg for his life. However, he did step in front of the bus as it was written down, and it's the narrators decision not to kill him off is ultimately what saves him.
Oh, and how fucking gorgeous is Maggie Gylanhall (spelling?) in this movie? I love the initial banter between her and Ferrell in their first couple of meetings (Is that the letter beginning with "Dear Imperialist Swine"?, "This probably sounds pretty abstract, but I think I'm in a tragedy")
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
freeman wrote:
Ferrell's character (what was his name again - something Crick right?), he shows that he has some control over his fate - by the fact that he's able to contact the narrator and plead his case, to beg for his life. However, he did step in front of the bus as it was written down, and it's the narrators decision not to kill him off is ultimately what saves him.
I disagree. He did step in front of the bus, but that doesn't mean he did it because the author wrote it that way. He knew that was how he was going to die, but he still could have chosen to do that to save the kid, and NOT because the author wrote it.
Since, in the end, the author "changed her mind," the question of fate/choice is still left open. She seems to have dictated whether the bus killed him or not, but I don't think it's so clear that she dictated his actions. Hell, she even said that she didn't kill him because he's the kind of a man that knows his actions are going to kill him, and he does them anyhow.
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
_________________ 06-13-2003 - Council Bluffs 05-16-2006, 05-17-2006 - Chicago 08-05-2007 - Lollapalooza 08-23-2009, 08-24-2009 - Chicago 05-03-2010 - Kansas City 05-04-2010 - St. Louis 09-03-2011, 09-04-2011 - Alpine Valley
Ferrell's character (what was his name again - something Crick right?), he shows that he has some control over his fate - by the fact that he's able to contact the narrator and plead his case, to beg for his life. However, he did step in front of the bus as it was written down, and it's the narrators decision not to kill him off is ultimately what saves him.
I disagree. He did step in front of the bus, but that doesn't mean he did it because the author wrote it that way. He knew that was how he was going to die, but he still could have chosen to do that to save the kid, and NOT because the author wrote it.
Since, in the end, the author "changed her mind," the question of fate/choice is still left open. She seems to have dictated whether the bus killed him or not, but I don't think it's so clear that she dictated his actions. Hell, she even said that she didn't kill him because he's the kind of a man that knows his actions are going to kill him, and he does them anyhow.
I agree with this take on it.
Great movie. I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.
_________________ I am a Child, I'll last a while. You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile.
Ferrell's character (what was his name again - something Crick right?), he shows that he has some control over his fate - by the fact that he's able to contact the narrator and plead his case, to beg for his life. However, he did step in front of the bus as it was written down, and it's the narrators decision not to kill him off is ultimately what saves him.
I disagree. He did step in front of the bus, but that doesn't mean he did it because the author wrote it that way. He knew that was how he was going to die, but he still could have chosen to do that to save the kid, and NOT because the author wrote it.
That's well put, however if he chose to do it why did he need to ask her to write it?
I know I should let this go, but I'm incredibly bored at work...
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
freeman wrote:
B wrote:
freeman wrote:
Ferrell's character (what was his name again - something Crick right?), he shows that he has some control over his fate - by the fact that he's able to contact the narrator and plead his case, to beg for his life. However, he did step in front of the bus as it was written down, and it's the narrators decision not to kill him off is ultimately what saves him.
I disagree. He did step in front of the bus, but that doesn't mean he did it because the author wrote it that way. He knew that was how he was going to die, but he still could have chosen to do that to save the kid, and NOT because the author wrote it.
That's well put, however if he chose to do it why did he need to ask her to write it?
I know I should let this go, but I'm incredibly bored at work...
Because regardless of you or I or anyone else thinks about the destiny/free-choice debate, no one KNOWS which it is, and Will Ferrel, especially, had only just started thinking about it a week ago. He did what he could think to do to save his life.
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Great movie. I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.
yeah me too, i pretty much hate everything Ferrel has been in but since i had read that it's wasn't your typical Ferrell movie i was willing to give it a shot. absolutely loved it.
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