Netflix has always been a master of drama, but it is not a promoter of great movie production. Netflix’s movies have a lot of bad reputation, not to list them one by one. My personal favorite is "Nowhere for Home", which combines black humor and many absurd elements, and the overall temperament is weird, unique, and unspeakable; no Thinking of this Kodachrome also gave me a lot of different feelings, some shocks, some surprises, and of course some shortcomings. Many friends may think that the plot is too predictable and a little old-fashioned, but there is no doubt that it is definitely not boring. If you have had some unpleasant experiences when interacting with your father, then "Kodakrom Film" What can bring you is probably endless emotion and a little tear.
Our criterion for judging whether a movie is a masterpiece can be very simple: it does not have to be perfect in every aspect, as long as it can be excellent in one aspect, or has a unique artistic style, or can touch the hearts of the audience. Resonance, empathy, and in-depth thinking can be classified as masterpieces to some extent. For this film that is not difficult to watch, the only thing we need to do is to appreciate the many artistic arrangements of the production team and devote themselves to the plot.
So how does this movie with a simple but very powerful storyline reverse the seemingly old-fashioned plot and become a masterpiece through its unique photographic style, narrative rhythm, and emotional resonance?
First analyze the photography style.
From the beginning to the end of the film, the tones of the picture are advanced, and the composition is maintained at a very high level.
In fact, the three main roles are Matt Ryder, the son of a recording industry manager (played by Jason Sudeikis, whose main business is a comedian), and Ben Ryder , a well-known photographer father and terminal cancer patient (played by William Westworld in his later years and played by Ed Harris, an old drama player). , And his father’s caregiver/assistant Zooey Kern (Marvel Scarlet Witch actor).
This bedroom is also one of the main filming locations. The protagonist Matt’s work in the record industry has a full process, childhood experience, Matt and Zooey’s musical tastes, and the other side of the protagonist’s personality. The protagonist is talking about The calmness and professionalism of music, and the first flash of light in Zooey's eyes, were all in this small bedroom.
There are more fixed lenses in this movie, so it is easier to mobilize the aesthetic senses in terms of composition. From a seemingly ordinary picture:
It evolves to an almost perfect picture in a few seconds, as Ben walks forward:
There are many similar screens. You are welcome to take screenshots and upload them to the video picture details page.
Secondly, it is the orderly rhythm of the overall plot development.
[Spoiler Alert: The following begins to involve key plot spoilers]
Fifty minutes before the film, the production team spared no effort to create many scenes of tension.
Turn around and look at Ben:
There are too many complicated eyes:
Of course, these plots mainly create the image of an artist, photographer, grumpy old man who is always piercing others' scars and doesn't care about family value, who is unbearable by ordinary people.
It is worth mentioning that a shot marks the beginning of the resolution of the conflict.
The audience will involuntarily observe this detail and begin to enter the director's trap: beginning to think about the artist's swing on the balance of career and family, it is also the beginning of gradually mobilizing the audience's goodwill towards Ben. Naturally, the director would not directly create this routine. Then the three went to the band where Matt needed to sign and tried to win their contract. However, in order to protect the dignity of his father, the cooperation fell through and was expelled from the company, but Ben did not say anything. Grateful.
From then on, the rhythm of the plot can be glimpsed from the following timeline:
1:17 In the hospital, Ben cried for the first time and began to apologize to his son, but he did not beg for forgiveness and said three words I love you. In fact, many Chinese-style father-son/parent-child relationships are: the two parties do not understand each other and are waiting for the other's apology, but never say the three words I love you. And this stubborn, stubborn old man was finally affected by his son's company all the way on the hospital bed. He also sensed that his time was running out, and any willfulness had to end here, otherwise there would be no chance in the future. It's actually a tear point.
After the 1:21 tear point, the two immediately started joking, giving people a knowing smile and temporary relaxation.
At 1:26, the two finally arrived at the destination of developing photos in Kansas. Ben was surrounded by the crowd and said the following. Matt’s admiring and proud look was given to multiple shots during the period.
We're all so frightened by time, and the way it moves on, the way things disappear. But that's why we're photographers. We're preservationists by nature. We take pictures to stop time, to commit moments to eternity. Human nature made tangible. About as good a definition of art as any, I guess.
1:29 Fiddling with the camera, Ben sat on a stool in the motel room. The last sentence was to ask Matt "Do you hear that?", as if he had heard the call of God, and then he sat his head sinking and passed away suddenly. (But the pictures and lines are transferred to Matt, who has not yet discovered and continues to talk to his father. The treatment here is also more restrained. It does not force the exploration of the sadness caused by death, but rather creates a helpless but shocking atmosphere. .)
1:30 With the melody of a Wounded Bird by Graham Nash (Ben once used Matt as a lullaby), under the double gaze of many professional photographers and cameras, Ben's body was lifted out of the motel.
The above timeline is mainly about the orderly rhythmic progression of Ben in the second half of the movie. Some viewers think that the closer to the end, the easier it is to rush, and the early characterization and conflict creation are also prone to insufficient stamina (that is, the pit is not filled), but through the second half of the record, it is 3-5 The emotional change point of the minute as the node is very rhythmic, does not appear to be rushed, and does not cause pressure on the duration. Generally speaking, the editor's grasp of this point is quite remarkable.
Finally, it is the shaping of emotional resonance.
It is finally the stage of studying the psychology and emotions of the characters. As an old man who sometimes popped out a philosophy of life, Ben lived a challenging life, devoted himself to his career and created great achievements. As a character with strong empathy, Matt has always had the desire to actively improve the father-son relationship and endeavour / attempt / efforts subconsciously and in action (except at the beginning of the film), which is more representative of ordinary people, such as us; and those mostly exist in artists The pain and sensitive and complex feelings in our hearts destined Ben to bear more and think more. As he said, happiness is useless for artistic creation. This also destined him to live a lonely and incomprehensible life.
This father-son road trip before his death fulfilled his last wish. Even though he had passed away long before he got the printed film, what he left to his son Matt was the renewed desire and love for his family life. The reclaiming of the abilities of others, the overcoming of the fear of having a more open mind.
In addition, the film also portrays the sense of melancholy and time passing by the decline of the film industry; this is complementary to the conflicts, misunderstandings, and isolation of father-son family relationships that have lasted for decades, and finally reconciliation, as Matt watched. Ben wants to cross half the country all the way to print out photos of his childhood. It is expected that the emotional resonance of the audience will finally reach the peak; all these fusions have broken the last wall of many audiences' hearts.
The author believes that Zooey represents the person who accompanied him through his father's last journey and reconciliation to the past, and then together to the future. This moment is the moment where the past and the future are intertwined. He is also a key figure in the plot, and disagrees with the conclusion that this role is redundant.
In summary, the movie actually tells the story of a father and son in "The Story of Your Life". Everything is so predictable yet so touching. Even though I gradually guessed almost all the subsequent plots as the plot went deep, I saw the camera’s presentation of the lens language and the editor’s grasp of the narrative rhythm and felt all these emotions. Resonance makes "Kodakrom Film" as a whole not concealed, and it is still a masterpiece.
Although the director is young, he can already see the potential; Ed Harris’s old drama has added too much to the overall film. Between the eyebrows and every move is a drama. Elizabeth Olsen’s acting skills have added another good for the Olsen sisters. For the work, Jason Sudeikis' attempts in feature films also proved the possibility of more transformation. After all, his overall mastery of the character's personality is not shallow. Congratulations and grateful that Netflix did not confuse this movie I have been looking forward to. I hope to see more of the future works of this Canadian newcomer director Mark Raso.
For the first time writing a systematic film review, there are many details that may not be perfect. Please forgive me. In addition, a selective analysis of the content involved in the film, such as the photo display at the end, I hope to let the readers feel it, just as the director left blank for the "potential photo exhibition". I hope readers and friends can get some unique enlightenment through my combing and analysis.
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