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humanness
noun
- the quality of being human
Set against the beautiful backdrop of "fog city", a powerful drama plays out, depicting the experiences, emotions, and actions that constitute the many facets of the universal human condition ... gain and loss, joy and grief, pride and shame, success and failure, loyalty and betrayal, prejudice and discrimination, connection and compassion, ruthlessness and vulnerability, despair and desperation, suffering and salvation ... sacrifice and suicide.
This movie embraces issues that society likes to pretend don't exist. It shows, with glaring clarity, the incredible frailty of human life and why, all said and done, the value of a human life cannot be appraised in terms of wealth. On a deeper level, it demonstrates the fleeting and impermanent nature of everything in the world of tangible physical form.
We are shown that one day's success can morph into failure the next. We are taught to appreciate what we have today, for tomorrow, it might leave an empty space in its wake. We are taught to look beyond the obvious, especially when it comes to judging another human being. We are motivated to ask - what is the point of this rat race, after all ? What am I really chasing after, and am I looking for it in the right place ?
Just as soon as you have begun to develop a hatred for the self-serving ruthlessness of a character you've begun to paint as the bad guy, he shocks you by revealing his compassion, and you are left wondering whether he's a hero or villain. Just as soon as you've categorized him, he reveals that he is only human and doesn't fit your neat little categories anymore. Then it hits you ... ultimately, there are no good guys or bad guys in the drama of life ... no winners or losers ... only sufferers of the human condition ... that which compels us to act out as puppets of our desires and fears. And, no one is immune ... we are all vulnerable. Every character in this movie ... yes, every single one ... earns your compassion ... your love ... your tears.
Given my own path through life, I have become somewhat of a spiritual seeker, and I contemplate life deeply, which is probably why this movie touched me so greatly.
If you are someone who likes to believe fantasies like "life is great" and "focus on the positive and everything will be ok", you will certainly not like this movie. However, if you're someone who is open to facing and accepting reality, this movie is a must watch.
10/10 ... they could not have done anything any better. The cast ... every human in it ... was believable and tailored to the role. The musical score punctuated the on-screen drama perfectly.
Last edited by escapist; 04-27-17 at 09:21 PM.
