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Unbelievable, yet it shouldn't be. The Life Aquatic is an
astounding film, beautiful, hysterical, subtle and odd, odd,
odd. Like it's predecessor The Royal Tannenbaums, the film
has the same strange tone to it of quiet grace mixed with
outrageous situations. And the talent, oh what talent,
understands the exact dynamic Anderson is trying for. Bill
Murray and Owen Wilson have fantastic chemistry together, as do
both of them with the wondrous Cate Blanchett. Willem
Dafoe enters acting territory I certainly have never seen him
enter before as a self-conscious, almost childlike German crew
member, who dotes on Steve Zissou like the prodigal son's
brother. In fact, that's the exact metaphor the film is
working with. Here.
Because in other places the film serves on a stealthy
commentary on documentary film making (which I pray will be on
the DVD), reality TV, father/son relationships, husband/wife
relationships, ego, and that thing so important to so many great
men, leaving behind a legacy and struggling between which they
prefer: A renowned and celebrated legacy of public
achievements or the quiet, mostly unknown outside of a family,
legacy of being a great husband and a great father. Often
these men choose unwisely or do both poorly.
Murray seems to be exploring this daunting territory with The
Royal Tannenbaums, Lost in Translation, and this. I
couldn't possibly be more pleased with The Life Aquatic, every
second, every moment, every brilliant line of dialogue, terrific
camera move and bizarre ship construction, commenting on life
being a play for performance and not a reality. Damn. See The Life Aquatic in theaters and revel
in what is a film by one of the best filmmakers of this
generation. |
DVD
"HUGE"
SOUNDTRACK (CD)
"HUGE"
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