I am very keen on watching low-budget films, without too many constraints, without too dazzling stars, without special effects to show off, only the most essential thinking. It is worth pondering after watching. It is a pity that this kind of work has almost disappeared in the domestic film circle. In contrast, there are many similar small-cost and large-scale productions in Europe and the United States, and there are not a few outstanding ones.
The film introduced today is not very exciting, but in terms of the "meaning" of the work, it is intriguing enough, an exquisite low-cost movie with deep meaning.
Small Crimes, a dark comedy starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones) and Molly Parker, tells the story of a police officer who has been jailed for six years for attempted murder. The story of a man released from prison and returning home to seek redemption.
The whole work is dark in tone and smooth in rhythm. In this oppressive atmosphere, the director shows "salvation" and "law of cause and effect" (the two deep meanings) in front of the audience. Thought-provoking and worth considering.
First of all, let's talk about the first layer of meaning contained in the play, what is "salvation"? 4 scenarios, fully analyzed.
Scenario 1, before being released from prison, the priest asks Joe if he needs to eat communion.
Why? Christians all know that there is a sacrament service every month, to receive the "Sacrament", to appreciate the grace of Jesus Christ, to accept salvation, and to repent with tears. But Joe refused in the play, and this "rejection" also hinted at the ending of the protagonist - "Until a person dies, it is difficult to redeem himself in the end."
Scene 2, Dan's conversation with Joe.
Again, "forgiveness" and "redemption" are mentioned. what for? The seemingly dispensable scene once again reminded everyone to "confess" (sin in many forms, not just those commonly recognized by people), then "repent", and finally "received redemption".
Scene 3, the mother's admonition to her son Joe.
"Prayer", another key word appeared. Mother's prayer, I hope that Joe can be released as soon as possible, that he can return to society as soon as possible, that he can slowly embark on a normal life trajectory, and that he can use his good behavior to change people's views on him. Indeed, the "prayer" has been answered, and Charlotte's appearance is the best example. She believes in Joe, accepts Joe, encourages Joe, and is willing to face the past, present, and future together with him, but unfortunately all of these fall short in the end, "being obliterated" It seems to be the only "salvation".
Scene 4, Joe's stab.
Joe was finally assassinated by his most trusted father. This plot was unexpected and reasonable. How to understand?
"Unexpected" means that Joe's foresight about his father's behavior is almost zero. He can't understand why his beloved father would stab him with a knife.
"Reasonable", on the one hand, refers to the behavior of the father. Angered that it does not fight, so this is the last resort. On the other hand, it corresponds to the plot at the beginning of "Joe rejects the priest" (that is, rejecting "salvation"), which means that "until death is not redeemed".
Let's look at the second level of meaning - "the law of causality".
Joe's life, from being released from prison to being assassinated, from being despised (not accepting) to falling in love with Charlotte to the end, everything is empty, from reforming his soul to returning to his old business to "killing oneself", all events, the source and end of everything are only To prove the "law of causality". The director used Joe, the work of "Small Crimes", to interpret a sentence - "what a man sows, what he reaps" (from the "Bible", "Galatians").
Written at the end, as a low-cost work, the director spent a lot of effort to build the "connotation" of the work, but inadvertently neglected the continuity and rhythm of the story, which is a gain and a loss, haha.
Director ★★★☆☆ (very thoughtful, unique concept)
Actor ★★★☆☆ (male and female protagonists are brilliant, others are average)
Story ★★★☆☆ (general content, deep connotation)
Visual effects ★★★★☆ (Dark tone, very close to the plot)
Sound effects ★☆☆☆☆ (Weak, almost no sense of presence)
Recommended crowd: Experienced people with
detailed film reviews + stills first published in "The Journey of Floyd and Helen", thank you
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