I'll start with my old review. It's a little over two years old and was written in response to my first viewing of the film. It's not a very good review, but it'll save me some typing none the less.
A film that's been on my watchlist for quite some time because of its reputation as dark and disturbing piece of cinema. It didn't disappoint on any level.
Klaus, a former Nazi doctor, has a fetish for sexual violence towards young boys that includes killing them. After one incident he attempts suicide which leaves his entire body paralyzed and himself trapped within a machine that keeps him breathing. Soon a young man, Angelo, arrives to the house and becomes Klaus' nurse helping his wife and young daughter, Rena, to take care of Klaus. But Angelo's motives aren't exactly philanthropic.
While there isn't much graphic violence in the film In a Glass Cage is quite daring and it has had some issues with censorship. It's topic of sexual abuse and fetishized murder of children is a touchy one and the film's depictions of such events are more brutal than usual. The film digs deep into the worst of humanity and doesn't offer much light or redemption.
I was surprised how good the film was technically. It's cinematography is masterful and its often cold color palette drains its world from all warm emotions. It mostly happens within one large house and every shot inside is brilliantly composed (nothing wrong with the few outside shots either). There's also one long murder scene that would have made Argento proud. Acting is also great by everyone (especially the chemistry between Angelo and Rena worked really well).
A relentless film about controversial topics, a drama with a hint of art house and most of all a great film. One of the most disturbing films out there but definitely recommended.
It's not an easy task to combine a compelling story and an arthouse film that dwells in symbolism and vague, personal interpretations. In a Glass Cage goes from a thriller to horror to unashamed arthouse and never misses a step. There's nothing forced in these style changes; the film just gradually becomes more abstract, and you don't even know when the change happened.
People have written about its connection to post-Franco Spain, but I don't think you need that specific background to give the film meaning. Violence breeding violence and the temptation of evil are universal enough themes for anyone to grasp. We all feel that life is out of our control at times, that we're trapped in a cage of someone else's making.
After the rewatch, I can safely say that In a Glass Cage takes the title of the best debut film away from The Reflecting Skin. It's simply amazing that a first-timer has managed to craft almost a flawless film from such a difficult subject.
Overall it was a pretty frustrating movie to watch. When I had read the premise and what the film was all about I thought it could be one of those sleeper/gem movies but the film just wasn't executed to my taste. I found the acting to be rather dull overall, there wasn't a whole lot of life put into the characters. The story seemed to skip from place to place and never could really hold my attention. Like I said a shame because I thought it could have potential. I thought the film looked pretty decent to the eye and that's probably my franfest compliment I can give. It's a tough film that I don't have a whole lot to say about otherwise.
Here's who nominated what by the way. Forgot to post it:
Raul- Antwone Fisher
Citizen- La Dolce Vita
Sean- Shame
Thief- Aniara
Cricket- A Secret in Their Eyes
Pahak- In a Glass Cage
Suspect- Rudderless
Moviegal- A Sea Inside
Ed- Day of the Jackal
Siddon- Barry Lyndon
Neiba- Beasts of the Southern Wild
Torgo- Hard Times
Takoma- The Man from Nowhere
Spelingerror- Vampyr
Wyldesyde- The Whisperers
AgrippinaX- The Deer Hunter
1. I kept pushing @MovieMeditation to join - He's the biggest fan of Javier Bardem that I know. I can't stand listening to him talk his broken Spanish English but I like Javier in his national language.
2. Did anyone read the synopsis of the film? There are two clues that it's mine - The factual story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a thirty-year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die.
3. One of my favorite films is Agora which is directed by the same director. Actually, I like The Others, Thesis, Open Your Eyes, and The Sea Inside as well. I was a bit upset over Regression, it didn't hold up to his standards.
I actually suggested this to @Citizen Rules and he said "hey that would be a good Hall of Fame film".
I don't think anybody guessed my nom was La Dolce Vita. I must have over a 100 movie titles saved in a text file for future HoFs. I've been meaning to nominate this one for awhile. I almost went with a musical instead Maybe next time!
I don't think anybody guessed my nom was La Dolce Vita. I must have over a 100 movie titles saved in a text file for future HoFs. I've been meaning to nominate this one for awhile. I almost went with a musical instead Maybe next time!
I sure as hell didn't. It was a big surprise to see that.
I don't think anybody guessed my nom was La Dolce Vita. I must have over a 100 movie titles saved in a text file for future HoFs. I've been meaning to nominate this one for awhile. I almost went with a musical instead Maybe next time!
You probably would have been the last person I guessed for that.
I don't think anybody guessed my nom was La Dolce Vita. I must have over a 100 movie titles saved in a text file for future HoFs. I've been meaning to nominate this one for awhile. I almost went with a musical instead Maybe next time!