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I see a thread has been opened in the Upcoming Movies section concerning The Mothman Prophecies so I feel it is time to reflect on one of the genuine surprise treats of the last few years, directed by the same fellah, Arlington Road.
Arlington Road has a great cast going for it. The Dude Lebowski and Andy Dufresne rarely misstep in their script decisions and Arlington Road's script was fairly juicy. Here's the summary for those who haven't seen it. A college professor, Michael Farraday,(The Dude) loses his wife, an FBI agent, in an accident. Following her tragic death, he changes his subject of choice to terrorism, researching extensively on the subject, which harms both his relationship with a young college graduate and especially his son. He is helped out with his introverted son by a set of new neighbours (Andy Dufresne and John Cusack's big sis), who have a strange son of their own. But Michael isn't altogether sure that this new family is safe for his son. He's obviously paranoid but is that paranoia justified?
Arlington Road is a movie that demands discussion and I'm ready if you are.
Arlington Road has a great cast going for it. The Dude Lebowski and Andy Dufresne rarely misstep in their script decisions and Arlington Road's script was fairly juicy. Here's the summary for those who haven't seen it. A college professor, Michael Farraday,(The Dude) loses his wife, an FBI agent, in an accident. Following her tragic death, he changes his subject of choice to terrorism, researching extensively on the subject, which harms both his relationship with a young college graduate and especially his son. He is helped out with his introverted son by a set of new neighbours (Andy Dufresne and John Cusack's big sis), who have a strange son of their own. But Michael isn't altogether sure that this new family is safe for his son. He's obviously paranoid but is that paranoia justified?
WARNING: "Arlington Road" spoilers below
From its opening scene I was surprised by Arlington Road. Its marketing was dreadful by the way. Each scene in the trailer looked so cliche, always highlighting the action and never concentrating on the paranoia that is so heightened during the movie. Back to business that opening scene shows a boy walking down the middle of the road covered in blood. Yowzah! What a beginning! The movie slows down after this, introducing us to its characters. It's not perfect for the next hour. A lot of the parental problems (absent mother, son not loving the replacement, etc.) have been done to death, but when the paranoia sets in, the film never lets up and the closing is a wow! So much happens at the end that my own mind got cluttered. Was Farraday's girlfriend killed in the car accident? I thought for a second that the FBI agent was on the other side. He wasn't, was he? Is Joan Cusack in on it? Are the kids in on it? DO YOU THINK THE MEDIA ACTUALLY DOES THIS? Does the media actually single out one obvious suspect, when there is no concrete proof, just to let the masses sleep safer in their beds? Damn it, who did blew up the twin towers?
From its opening scene I was surprised by Arlington Road. Its marketing was dreadful by the way. Each scene in the trailer looked so cliche, always highlighting the action and never concentrating on the paranoia that is so heightened during the movie. Back to business that opening scene shows a boy walking down the middle of the road covered in blood. Yowzah! What a beginning! The movie slows down after this, introducing us to its characters. It's not perfect for the next hour. A lot of the parental problems (absent mother, son not loving the replacement, etc.) have been done to death, but when the paranoia sets in, the film never lets up and the closing is a wow! So much happens at the end that my own mind got cluttered. Was Farraday's girlfriend killed in the car accident? I thought for a second that the FBI agent was on the other side. He wasn't, was he? Is Joan Cusack in on it? Are the kids in on it? DO YOU THINK THE MEDIA ACTUALLY DOES THIS? Does the media actually single out one obvious suspect, when there is no concrete proof, just to let the masses sleep safer in their beds? Damn it, who did blew up the twin towers?
Arlington Road is a movie that demands discussion and I'm ready if you are.
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I couldn't believe that she knew my name. Some of my best friends didn't know my name.
I couldn't believe that she knew my name. Some of my best friends didn't know my name.
Last edited by Yoda; 01-05-02 at 06:09 PM.
