Line666
Fendurr
- Sep 2, 2006
- 3,342
- 1
- 36
For anyone interested in the film at all *SPOILERS*
I think there was some great conceptual and social commentary in it, in terms of materialism/objectivism, spirituality and peoples self perceived purposes in their lifes.
Day-Lewis character feels his happiness lies very much in materialistic progress/achievement and has no real desire to leave purpose in the hands of other people, although he let his personal gain coincide with better opportunities for the people around him he was ultimately in disgust at their desire to live in their own shit as it were and not appreciative of his hard work that he thinks helped enrich their lives, even when he tricked and manipulated them. So when his personal fulfillment and achievement reached a plateau he has nothing left to live for as he felt the people surrounding him were charlatans and impostors and although he considers himself an "honest man" even he himself bows to subversive methods to achieve his ideals - which, of course, never fulfill him, because rampant materialism never does.
The ultimate contrast however was supposed to be the church which supposedly embodies the idea of spirituality and another purpose in life but which ultimately turns out to be just another agenda, see when the priest comes to ask him for money at the end and denounces all he supposedly beliefs in favour of capital gain.
In the middle of all this is the boy, who despite being deaf and surrounded by extremists on all sides somehow finds love and purpose, he embodies the idea of hope in amongst all these characters who embody various agendas and motives.
In terms of commentary I really think it shows that placing your faith and love in other people as opposed to monetary gain or preconceived spiritual notions is the only real way to happiness as a person and that worshiping at the alter of business or organised religion can be a soul destroying exercise of absolute futility.
I think there was some great conceptual and social commentary in it, in terms of materialism/objectivism, spirituality and peoples self perceived purposes in their lifes.
Day-Lewis character feels his happiness lies very much in materialistic progress/achievement and has no real desire to leave purpose in the hands of other people, although he let his personal gain coincide with better opportunities for the people around him he was ultimately in disgust at their desire to live in their own shit as it were and not appreciative of his hard work that he thinks helped enrich their lives, even when he tricked and manipulated them. So when his personal fulfillment and achievement reached a plateau he has nothing left to live for as he felt the people surrounding him were charlatans and impostors and although he considers himself an "honest man" even he himself bows to subversive methods to achieve his ideals - which, of course, never fulfill him, because rampant materialism never does.
The ultimate contrast however was supposed to be the church which supposedly embodies the idea of spirituality and another purpose in life but which ultimately turns out to be just another agenda, see when the priest comes to ask him for money at the end and denounces all he supposedly beliefs in favour of capital gain.
In the middle of all this is the boy, who despite being deaf and surrounded by extremists on all sides somehow finds love and purpose, he embodies the idea of hope in amongst all these characters who embody various agendas and motives.
In terms of commentary I really think it shows that placing your faith and love in other people as opposed to monetary gain or preconceived spiritual notions is the only real way to happiness as a person and that worshiping at the alter of business or organised religion can be a soul destroying exercise of absolute futility.
