The change in narrative technique is the biggest highlight of this film. Telling the same story over and over again, slowly in detail, and slowly in depth; although this is not a new technique, but in this movie, the use of this technique has achieved another effect: the protagonist gradually dares to face what he has done subjective idea of things. Until the end, the protagonist finally wrote the whole thing into a letter, burned it, and walked out of the shadows. This ending is also the same Sante's transcendence of himself. Thinking about the bleak ending in "The Elephant" and "The Last Days", the final sunny ending of this movie is really not easy. (I initially thought he sent the letter to the woman and was reported by the woman..)
The music is weird. While Sant's films have always been musical, the film's sudden abundance of blues music is somewhat baffling at first. Especially the initial piece of blues with alternating fast and slow, incredible. It was only when the protagonist broke up with his girlfriend that the connotation of this soundtrack was revealed—on the one hand, the male protagonist was burdened with the heavy psychological pressure after the murder, and on the other hand, he had to pretend to be okay in life and force a smile. The blues soundtrack is used very well here.
In addition to the Sante-style ultra-close-up follow-up shooting, the lens also blurs the background other than the protagonist in many cases. Everything seems to be floating outside, as if there is something behind it; I am talking about the mental state of being immersed in my own thinking after killing someone. Also, the scene where the dead man was shot on the train is very nice. The two opposite trains are driving, which symbolizes that the male protagonist is in such a transitional period of growth. That shot of the dead man is bloodier than ever in a Santer movie. . .
The shortcomings of the film are also obvious, the plot is old-fashioned, and the theme is weak. And no matter how you look at the male protagonist, the middle school children are all dressed up by Sant like the rock star in "The Last Days". . A movie for Sant fans. The heroine is the little beauty who played her sister in "gossip girl". . .
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