helpless

Aida 2022-10-14 19:00:13

In 1945, the anti-fascist war achieved a total victory.

This year, the famous German director Fritz Lang directed an immortal work "Blood Red Street" in the United States. Although this film is a remake of Jean Renoir's first sound film "The Bitch", it is still talked about with great intentions and can be regarded as a tribute to Jean Renoir. There are many mentions of Fritz Lang's first sound work "M" (also translated "Who is the Murderer") in 1936, but this one is rarely mentioned and almost forgotten. The fact is that this film echoes before and after "M", and both are interpreting "the root of the real society, human nature and evil", which can be seen as the director's heartfelt interpretation. It's also one of his favorites. It's just that "M" is to test the various situations of society towards a criminal, and then test the reactions of various people to the entire disordered society. From the government, the police, the underworld to the general public, none of them can afford to bear the grave sins of "M" after killing the little girl, so they can only attack "M" in groups. Everything is so morbid. Hopeless and smoky.

Indeed, Fritz Lang was a visionary and intelligent director. He saw many problems that people in Germany ignored at the time. He shares a common trait with German and Austrian directors such as Murnau, Lubitsch, William Wheeler and Billy Wilder who went to the United States earlier, that is, he is good at constructing and controlling the true spiritual essence of the film, from the story to the shooting technique. , are masters that future generations cannot surpass. To put it simply, the movies are all good. It is these people who have made the classics of an era and the glory of Hollywood.

Stepping out from the hustle and bustle of "M", "Blood Red Street" is much quieter and more microscopic. A cashier who is about to enter old age can be said to be conscientious and honest all his life, and paint in his spare time to nourish his only spiritual life. There was never anything wrong. Even for his own paintings, he never expects any "big hair", only for self-entertainment. When a beautiful girl broke into his life unexpectedly on a rainy night street. He could no longer resist. For her beauty, for her intimacy, for her well-behaved, and for the constant nagging of her wicked wife, there is no doubt that young Katie has become the only consolation "harbor" in his life.

Chris was "saved". Old trees bloom new flowers. He was willing to give everything for this girl named March Katie, to do for her what he would be ashamed of in his life, to embezzle the company's money and rent a house for her. He can draw with his heart while watching the beautiful women with peace of mind. After all, life is not a child's play of wishful thinking. he loves her. She doesn't love him, she only loves his money. She was in love with the young and glib Johnny, a liar alive and well. The old man didn't know it at all.

Mr. Chris, the prospective old man, completes Katie and the ruffian she loves. Inadvertently, he detonated his stunning paintings. It's just that the creator is Miss March Katie, not Mr Chris. Mr. K didn't care either, as long as she was recognized by the most famous galleries in New York, as long as she still loved him. What will he do once he finds out that she loves Johnny, the ruffian. He will still make his last effort for love.

Facts have proved that the truth that seeing is believing is far less "striking" than the truth of the heart. Once Katie gushed about his love in a playful tone, he couldn't bear the truth of her heart any longer, as Martin Scorsese put it, "from reality back to nightmare." The result is predictable. He was just a ghost wandering alive. He was really crazy, and all he could hear was Katie's "Johnny, I love you..." and Johnny's "Little Slacker..." ravings and hallucinations. When he was in despair, he didn't react at all when he saw that the art dealer sold his "Miss March Katie's Self-Portrait" for $10,000. There is only the lonely street in the dark of night, and only his walking alone...

This half-century-old film carefully constructed a love "serial set". It really means infinite and lamentable sigh. Fritz Lang is gone early, and Chris, played by Edward Robinson, and Miss Katie, played by Joan Bennett, will undoubtedly live on forever. For a long time, people's evaluation of Renoir's "Bitch" is higher than "Blood Street". In addition to "preconceived ideas", this may be due to the originality level and ignore the difficulty and height of re-interpretation. In fact, this It doesn't matter, it's a rare classic and just one more comparison.

who is the murderer of love.

This doesn't seem to be an issue. Here is an answer. Because only love itself is worthy of being a murderer of love. Another classic film "Bitter Rain Loves Spring" directed by Douglas Sirke in 1955 also showed the specificity of triangular love. Love is like a vortex, constantly spinning in place, the direction is unknown, but it is very persistent. The ending is predictable. Friends who are close as brothers, facing the same beloved woman, will more or less show the despotism and selfishness of love. Only when everything is irretrievable does loss seem so meaningful. The younger sister of the deceased, the rival in love to the elder brother, still had that pure love at the critical moment.

That love, what is it? Countless people will think of this childish questioning. In fact, this is an uncompromising imagination. Love can't help. Everyone's expression of love is different. In the face of love, once some people devote themselves to it, they may be in a trance and "mentally retarded". Unless he (she) is ice itself, or a deceive master who is used to playing. Love, for ordinary or kind people, may carry all the spirit of his life. From this, love highlights the depth of heart and the difference of mind between people. It doesn't seem to have much to do with age.

2009, 7, 1

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Extended Reading

Scarlet Street quotes

  • Johnny Prince: And then you gave me a dirty look.

    Kitty March: I didn't give you a dirty look!

    Johnny Prince: Listen, any girl that waits two hours in the rain for a guy is gonna give him a dirty look.

  • Kitty March: Who do you think you are? My guardian angel?

    Millie Ray: Not me, honey. I lost those wings a long time ago.