once victim, always victim

Reyna 2022-03-24 09:03:20

Since I didn't know the original book before and I just watched another British classic, Pride and Prejudice, which had a happy ending, I felt very uncomfortable about the tragic ending of Tess' story. I was still looking forward to the escape of the two protagonists until the end of the movie. The bitter sea, but found that the time was getting closer to the end, so he had to give up his expectations and prepared for Tess's inevitable death.
Tess lived in the 1880s, when the British Empire was at its peak, and it was hard to imagine that the polarization between the rich and the poor in her country could be so severe. Although the life of the people at the bottom is obviously better than that of the Chinese people in the same period, but considering the vast colony of the United Kingdom, it is really hard to believe that the degree of exploitation of its own people is still so cruel. In the 17th century, when the British hegemony was just starting, it needed to plunder its own people to realize the prosperity of the country. As a result, the social level of the hegemony has been determined and it is still eye-catching. It is no wonder that the film will arrange a book of Das Kapital in one shot to give a hint.
That era was also an era of conservative social ethos and inequality between men and women, so Tess's experience of being a so-called cousin and mistress led to the tragedy that ran through the whole play. Correspondingly, the male protagonist also had a similar experience without side effects. The mutual confession between the two after marriage brought this contradiction to its peak.
Although there is a suspicion of a vase, I feel that Natasha, who was only 18 years old at the time, performed very well. The image of Tess, who also experienced the vicissitudes of life before the age of 20, is very classic. In fact, the setting of the character Tess is also a little magical, because under such parents and such family education conditions, there can be such a stoic eldest daughter, who can be brave enough to be impoverished and unable to move, until the family pressure is in the end. It collapsed in an instant. Perhaps it is this kind of magic and the cruel ending that she encountered after suffering so much that readers and audiences are moved.
Classic lines: Beauty has its price. Once vicitim, always victim, that's the law.

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Extended Reading
  • Garret 2022-03-28 09:01:11

    The photography is beautiful, Kinski is beautiful, and Polanski is equally stable in traditional emotional films. The two men caused great damage to Tess both physically and mentally. Alec, who took advantage of her, took away her innocence but lost to her stubbornness, but Angel named Angel hurt Tess the most. Most afraid of being picked up in desperation and then being slammed down. Angel's love at all costs came too late and too cramped, and everything was irreversible.

  • Evangeline 2022-03-22 09:02:40

    The picture is as dignified and beautiful as an oil painting, and the mirror movement is exquisite. The symphony soundtrack greatly enriches the inner activities and tragic colors of the movie characters. The actress has excellent appearance and acting skills, which perfectly shows Tess's self-esteem, stubbornness, courage and persistence. . Polanski's film is indeed what it deserves, a classic! Films shot nearly 40 years ago have no sense of incongruity.

Tess quotes

  • Tess: We can sometimes make our souls leave our bodies.

    Dairyman Crick: How's that then, lady?

    Tess: You only have to lie on the grass at night and look straight up at some great star. And stare at it with all your might. And by and by, you feel you're falling into the sky, miles and miles from your body, which you don't seem to need at all.

  • Angel Clare: Tess! Why run away like that? Are you afraid?

    Tess: No, sir. Not of outdoor things, no.

    Angel Clare: But, you have your indoor fears, eh?

    Tess: I have, yes.

    Angel Clare: At what?

    Tess: I couldn't rightly say.

    Angel Clare: Of the milk turning sour? Fear of life in general?

    Tess: Yes, sir.

    Angel Clare: So have I. Very often. Life's a puzzle. Don't you think?

    Tess: Perhaps. Now, you've put it that way.