Similar background, similar protagonist, similar plot. Although the themes, tone, and narrative style of the two films are very different, the similarities are so obvious that I have to think of them spontaneously after watching consecutive films.
Kane was born into an ordinary family, and his parents could not support him, so he entrusted him to a banker. Gatsby was born lowly. Unwilling to be mediocre, he left home at a young age and met a wealthy businessman who brought him into high society.
Kane left his childhood and learned to be brave in his debates with cunning bankers; Gatsby forgot his past and learned the unspoken rules of high society under the price adjustment of wealthy businessmen.
They used to have a simple and beautiful dream, but when everything went smoothly, and both of them climbed to the top of the society by virtue of the nobles, when they enjoyed mansions, beauties, and fame, the black hole in their hearts seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. The so-called pursuit only leaves the shell of the form of the void. Kane keeps collecting antique sculptures, and Gatsby's house is singing every night. However, Kane, who stood behind the statue, and Gatsby, who was wandering in the dark shadow that the banquet lights could not cast, did not enjoy the beauty of art or the so-called liveliness. They fantasized about people's love for them, and fantasized about standing in the world The infinite glory of the center, the top of society.
Later, Gatsby was abandoned by the one he loved, and so was Kane. People's distance is not caused by themselves?
They staggered from the bottom to the top, they experienced all kinds of suffering, contempt and disdain, and gained the respect and envy of others. However, one day they will also find that what they wanted at first was only the favor of a girl and a place to ski. In the end, when they were sitting on beautiful women and occupying land as kings, the prey they got had no mysterious beauty at all. The heart becomes more and more empty and greedy, because there is no "better" thing to fill them.
At this time, the simple past, the beauty of the poor but unrealistic dreams of childhood, came back to their hearts. Kane's rosebud, Gatsby's green light, is that little beauty, the initial motivation.
What's the use of those unnecessary glitz and exaggeration that can't be taken away?
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