Pandora's Box Dr. Ludwig Schön: [to Alwa]
Just one thing, my boy: Beware of that woman!
SPOILERS One helluva a start for this HoF.
Set up in Acts, which, for a while there, seemed like serious jumps in what was going on, that, at times, I had to do some guesswork at what was what. At times wondering if I would need a second viewing. Though, by the end, the wish for a second viewing would be more for the enjoyment than understanding.
Which is my only critique on this slow spiraling film that seems to ensnare you without you even being away that it has occurred. Only to realize it's too late to do anything about it.
Much like the people who fall for and demand to have Lulu, (Louise Brooks). Who's nonchalant attitude to it all and everyone reminded me of a leaf traversing a turbulent water way. No decisive plan; just where ever, what ever. A carefree spirit cast adrift among cruder individuals. With whom she cavorts like a coquettish kitten.
What I found impressive was how things were implied without ever truly showing anything to the audience.
WARNING: "such as" spoilers below Lulu's sexual interludes. She is forever on someone's knee, but it never goes past that, ever. Nor does it need to.
The two deaths within this film, Dr. Schon, who tries to force her to kill herself so he doesn't have to murder her; is from behind him and there is a puff of smoke from the gun signifying it had gone off.
And then hers, at the end, with (and I didn't realize that they used the actual name and not a facsimile of him) Jack the Ripper, where all you see is her hand tense up and then slip away. Quite a beautiful shot, that. As well as the ones leading to it. Especially on the stairs when he let's go of his knife before taking her hand.
And the fact that they had, by implication only, a lesbian character whom, like all the rest, was enraptured by Lulu and willing to do anything for her.
Lulu's sexual interludes. She is forever on someone's knee, but it never goes past that, ever. Nor does it need to.
The two deaths within this film, Dr. Schon, who tries to force her to kill herself so he doesn't have to murder her; is from behind him and there is a puff of smoke from the gun signifying it had gone off.
And then hers, at the end, with (and I didn't realize that they used the actual name and not a facsimile of him) Jack the Ripper, where all you see is her hand tense up and then slip away. Quite a beautiful shot, that. As well as the ones leading to it. Especially on the stairs when he let's go of his knife before taking her hand.
And the fact that they had, by implication only, a lesbian character whom, like all the rest, was enraptured by Lulu and willing to do anything for her.
On a separate note, which amused me enough to share; being not all that happy with the soundtrack, I opened youtube and played a Louisiana Blues compilation that synced up beautifully for the mood and scenarios in here on quite a few incidences. Including a song ending as an Act finished and the next one started as the Act placard faded. One of my favorite songs fitting the action on screen was where Lulu and an excruciatingly depressed Alwa is shown in London and the lyrics remark about "can it get any harder than this".
I reiterate, one helluva start for this HoF.