Liao Kang
"Elegy" Elegy is only shown in the art theater Osio in our small town. The film is obviously a small production, and most of the footage is indoors. No violence, no porn, no stunts, just delicate performances and piano accompaniment to classical music. Therefore, it is probably difficult for this film to arouse public interest, and it is difficult for it to enter mainstream theaters everywhere. It will be a pity if the audience who loves to watch the show miss this film.
"Elegy" is adapted from Philip Roth's novel "The Dying Animal", but it is full of the driving force of life. Ben Kingsley, best known for playing Gandhi, and Penélope Cruz, the first Spanish actress to be nominated for an Oscar, brought the life force of the male and female protagonists into full swing, interpreting their emotional changes vividly. Kingsley plays David Kepesh, an English professor at Columbia University, who is also regularly interviewed on a TV show. So although he is 65 years old, he is still very attractive to young female students. He is also a voiceover, frankly speaking about his unique tricks for hunting beauty: During the teaching period, he never messed around, and always waited until the end of the term to issue the results before inviting the students to come to the house for a party and attack the prey. Cruz plays Consuela, a student from Cuba, 30 years younger than the professor, who, unlike the other girls, is clearly weathered but has an air of elegance. Their exchanges, the changes in their relationship, and their different life experiences constitute an elegy—perhaps an elegy for life, an elegy for a previous way of life, or an elegy for the rebellion of the 1960s.
The old professor is the representative of the Beat Generation in the 1960s. Although he re-entered the world and was successful, the ideas he developed remained unchanged: sexual liberation, contempt for tradition, authority and convention, and so on. He ran away from home very early, pursued freedom, and was not ashamed to face his family. Could it be that he is really such an isolated island, does not really need feelings, and really will not be responsible? Could it be that he can only fulfill his social obligations to satisfy the majority of students and the majority of the audience, but cannot love a person wholeheartedly and make her happy? His attitude to life is shown more in his conversations with his old poet friend (Dennis Hopper), in his advice to his son (Peter Sarsgaard) about family disputes, and in his relationship with a middle-aged woman. in his long-term relationship, which contrasts with his relationship with the schoolgirl. The lives and deaths of these people made the old professor seriously think about his rebellion again. Kingsley performed the old professor's changes from hunting, emotional, jealous to falling in love, and the change of Acacia is very well done.
It is not difficult to understand that an old professor fell in love with a young and beautiful female student, but how could a young and beautiful female student fall in love with the old professor? Those who have not experienced old and young love will inevitably question. Cinema is the art of make believe. Kingsley is not handsome, but his elegant demeanor, profound education, strong physique, as well as the cultural and artistic atmosphere of his residence are all fascinated by female students. Later, she also stated the most important reason: only the old professor appreciates her physical beauty so much and makes her so satisfied. When Cruz first appeared, she was just a beautiful and charming woman. With the development of the plot, she showed the young woman's character, rich inner world and attachment to the old professor, which is believable in retrospect. A woman loves herself, and when she is about to lose this beauty, her love ignites the most brilliant flame. The young and old, like a phoenix nirvana, have been reborn in the flame of love. Isn't this elegy to bid farewell to the past a joyous song for the new life?
September 13, 2008
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