Paul Schrader

Jimmie 2021-12-27 08:01:54

1 Boring image language and stories

Pretending to be concise video, depressive atmosphere, without skillful scheduling.

Priest? Familiar Bresson sense.

religion? The whole article is chanting. The Big Brother religious film does not show this way.

The most powerful lens in the whole article comes from the design in a small space: four to three, slightly overlooking, and a simple background. Ah "Nun Ida"? (Later I saw that he was inspired by director Ida, sure enough. cao.)

The rest of the story is lackluster and empty. It's really not the director's material.

2 The Unsolvable Paul Schrader

Unreasonable anger and ignorance are at the core of Schrader's entire creative career. It is said that in the 1970s, when anger and insignificance were abounded, that angry taxi driver became a symbol of the times. The angry bull afterwards, the last temptation of Christ, is obviously a continuation of this spirit, barely surging. But the empty biography of Mishima Yukio, Leopard Man, seemed like a disgraceful failure.

Anger and ignorance are bound to be relieved, and religion can be regarded as an export. However, Schrader's foundation has obviously failed to understand his own myths and the nature of religion. The spirit of the editor and director in the work is externalized, but he always wants to hide his shallowness and pretend to be deep. The reason is the depth of thought and lack of skills.

Schrader has long disappeared from the sight of scrutiny. The work he has returned is a collection of all the problems. Perhaps he has matured at a high age, or he has a strong self-certification. His ambition is to prove that he has handled himself well. Defects and problems of a lifetime: anger and insignificance. Judging from the answer, it still failed. He is also anxious, and the people watching are also anxious. His answer is: cliche and let it go. Then it stopped abruptly. Surprisingly.

As soon as you think about it, everyone is embarrassed, doing things they are not good at and performing desperately, and the people watching are also annoyed. Don't think about becoming a master, it's time to retire.

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Extended Reading
  • Alfonso 2022-04-23 07:03:17

    Feel surprisingly kind of cozy to see a film dragging me back to the 70s, with a touch of contemporary sense. It feels like every shot is clean and carries a narrative message that very few movies can do these days do it.

  • Derick 2022-03-23 09:02:33

    Haunting, unnerving, desolate, and piercing. Toller's religious, human, and political struggles and despair remain truthful and resonating. Cold heaviness throughout the film. Dignified, grim, transcendental moments have restrained tension. The lines and monologues are very well written. Fixed lenses and Academy Ratio are also great.

First Reformed quotes

  • Michael: You believe in martyrdom, Reverend?

    Reverend Ernst Toller: I'm not sure I know what you mean.

    Michael: The Saints of God, the early Christians who wouldn't renounce their faith? The missionaries who were attacked in the fields of the Lord. Do you believe that they died for a purpose?

    Reverend Ernst Toller: I do.

    Michael: Well, every week, activists are killed trying to protect the environment.

  • Reverend Ernst Toller: Now Michael, I can promise you that whatever despair you feel about bringing a child into this world cannot equal the despair of taking a child from it.