In the face of no solution, the director chooses a gorgeous escape

Kayley 2022-03-22 09:02:05

The plot is very simple. Alberton, a Hollywood screenwriter who is satisfied with his life, was involved in an anti-communist political persecution because of a misunderstanding. His girlfriend ran away because of his job failure. Because of his foreign appearance, he was mistaken for Luke, who disappeared in the war 9 years ago. This is a town that has been hurt and lost by the war. Luke's miraculous return has rekindled the vitality of the town. Alberton lived as Luke, and felt the courage and love of Luke as a hero through Luke's father, friend, and lover in the small town. Finally, he recovered his memory. When the government authorities found him to let him compromise, he had the courage to fight righteously in court and won. Back in the town, he no longer received the heroic welcome of the town as Luke, but as Alberton.
Frank Darabont is one of my favorite directors. His "The Shawshank Redemption", "The Green Mile" and "The Mist" are all my favorites. His works can always reveal the essence of society in the storytelling. And the darkness of human nature, but there is always a light of hope in the darkness, and finally through the dark road to the light, this may be what the director wants to see. But the darkness still exists, and when you can't solve it, you can only choose to escape. Just like Andy escaped from prison with hope and came to the beautiful seaside, but what about the world outside? Like David escaping the supermarket with people who believed in him, like Alberton escaping Hollywood and returning to town. Are we seeing hope or despair? Watching these movies always brings us too much to think about.
This movie reminds me of the current state of Chinese cinema. Foreign films dare to directly expose the government's mistakes, can our films do it? Know that the government is never pointed out that it is wrong so that it will never be wrong. If you were given the same opportunity, would you tell the government in court that the New China built by countless martyrs in the 100 years of the 20th century is how you corrupt, trade money and power, act arbitrarily, and exclude those who are not of your own? China, which is guarded by countless heroic spirits, should not be like this! ! I believe no one will do this. China has always been a dictatorial country, not only in politics, but also in life and people's hearts. People are not free. People are like this, no wonder movies are like this, culture is like this, art is like this, economy is like this, science is like this, and the future is like this. It is no wonder that China has not produced a truly effective artist, thinker, and scientist for hundreds of years.
This is an unsolvable proposition. At most, we just masturbate mentally in such excellent foreign movies. This is also a kind of escape. Haha, to put it nicely, China is the only remaining one of the four ancient civilizations, with a long history. To put it horribly, this is a country of twilight.

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Extended Reading

The Majestic quotes

  • Peter Appleton: I'm sorry... but it occurs to me that there is a bigger issue today than whether or not I'm a Communist.

    Elvin Clyde: Bigger issue? Mr. Appleton, there 'is' no bigger issue.

    Peter Appleton: Actually, not to be contrary, I think there is... Gosh, I don't quite know what to say.

    [Peter takes a drink of water]

    Peter Appleton: The fact is I... I've never been a man of great conviction. I never saw the percentage in it... and quite frankly, I suppose I, uh... lacked the courage. See, I'm not like Luke Trimble. He had the market cornered on those things. I never met the guy, but I feel like I've gotten to know him. The thing is, I can't help wondering what he'd say... if he were standing here right now. You know, I think what I think he'd probably tell you: the America represented in this room... is not the America he died defending.

    [the crowd noise in the background rises]

    Peter Appleton: I think he'd tell you your America is bitter...

    [Congressman Doyle begins banging his gavel]

    Peter Appleton: and cruel... and small.

    Congressman Doyle: The chamber will come to order!

    Peter Appleton: I know for a fact that his America was big... bigger than you could imagine... with a wide open heart

    [Congressman Doyle bangs the gavel again]

    Peter Appleton: ... where every person...

    Congressman Doyle: Mr. Appleton! You are out of order!

    Peter Appleton: [Speaking over Congressman Doyle] ... has a voice! Even if you don't like what they have to say.

    Congressman Doyle: Enough, Sir! You are out of order!

    Peter Appleton: If he 'were' here, I wonder how you'd respond... if you could explain to him what happened to his America.

    Congressman Doyle: Mr. Appleton, you are skating on the very thin edge of contempt.

    Peter Appleton: Well that's the first thing I've heard today that I completely agree with!

    Kevin Bannerman: Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman, my client is clearly under an enormous strain as a direct result of the belligerent questioning of Mr. Clyde, and he is therefore not responsible for his comments. At this time, we wish to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

    Peter Appleton: No, no we don't.

    Kevin Bannerman: Yes, Pete, we do.

    Peter Appleton: No, Kevin, we don't, so knock it off!

    [pounds his fist on the table for punctuation, quieting the crowd]

    Peter Appleton: [in a quieter voice] Just shut the hell up and let me get through this.

  • [first lines]

    Studio Executive: What about the kid?

    Studio Executive: What kid?

    Studio Executive: You know, the kid who rings the bell.

    Studio Executive: What kid? What bell? What are you talking about?

    Studio Executive: The kid. After the mine caves in. The kid. He runs up the hill. He rings the bell to alert the town.

    Studio Executive: Is that in the script? What page are we on?

    Studio Executive: What if we gave the kid - a disease.

    Studio Executive: A disease?

    Studio Executive: A *disease*. Braces on the legs, that sort of thing.

    Studio Executive: But he runs up the hill.

    Studio Executive: He could hobble.

    Studio Executive: Hobble is good.