mattw wrote:

tmidgett wrote:
For example, you know when he's howling like a badly wounded animal?

I was also going to mention this--some sort of Keitel quirk, he also does it at the end of the dogs coming from the reservoirs, when the cops are busting into the warehouse. I think it's effective, but sorta funny at the same time.

Yes, I agree. It _is_ sorta funny.

But if one doesn't fathom it entirely right off the bat....

In that case, the _real_ punch line comes much, much later when perhaps one is caused to realize that Keitel was not joking. Or even overacting.

The joke's on you when you realize it's not a joke! That it's how it really goes!

To know that scene is the real way and to play it straight, knowing it will not seem straight to most people and instead will seem over-the-top, this is indicative of Harvey Keitel's commitment, talent, and balls. This is not acting as a glorified service profession.

And it might be evidence of a very convoluted sense of humor. But I don't know if he goes that far with it.

tmidgett wrote:
Yes, I agree. It _is_ sorta funny.

But if one doesn't fathom it entirely right off the bat....

In that case, the _real_ punch line comes much, much later when perhaps one is caused to realize that Keitel was not joking. Or even overacting.

The joke's on you when you realize it's not a joke! That it's how it really goes!

To know that scene is the real way and to play it straight, knowing it will not seem straight to most people and instead will seem over-the-top, this is indicative of Harvey Keitel's commitment, talent, and balls. This is not acting as a glorified service profession.

And it might be evidence of a very convoluted sense of humor. But I don't know if he goes that far with it.

I never thought he was over the top w/ it, although I don't know that I've gotten to the point where I've felt that sort of intense emotional pain. I'm guessing there's a specific reference to which you and Steve might be referring, I don't know. It's always interesting when actors do that, though, something out of left field that speaks more of real human emotion as opposed to "hamming" it up.

I like how the movie does not give the lieutenant a name, because the human aspects of individual personality no longer matter at any stage; he is a bad cop, and those two words, expressing his moral state and his leverage in society, say everything that is still important about him.

I don't think it is "dirty movie," and in fact takes spirituality and morality more seriously than most films do.

tmidgett wrote:I used to think this scene was great but as pure drama. I doubted it as a reflection of reality.

Turns out I was wrong to doubt! You can get there! Whether or not you're trying!

Yup.

Jordan wrote:I don't think it is "dirty movie," and in fact takes spirituality and morality more seriously than most films do.

i agree. it is a movie about what being a saint means, i think, although the director chooses a very unusual and graphic way to show the meaning of sanctity.

probably the more profoundly "christian" movie i've ever seen. Not Crap.

My friend and I took our girlfriends to see it when it first came out. At the end they were angry at us like we had made the movie. I enjoyed it. One of Ferrara's rare good movies.

supreme wrote:My friend and I took our girlfriends to see it when it first came out. At the end they were angry at us like we had made the movie. I enjoyed it. One of Ferrara's rare good movies.

you sure know how to treat a dame!

I like B.L. a great deal, mainly because it is unflinching in its depection, then I like most Abel Ferrera i've seen.

A perhaps (un)interesting side note, I used to work in a video shop and would reccomend BL to young couples after a comedy. Also, I put I spit on your Grave in the porn section, and was quite disturbed when a lot of people rented it.

I'm watching it now, after not having seen it in about 10 years or so.

Still brutal.

I'm depressed enough as it is, I didn't need to see Keitel's pee-pee for a full 20 seconds (maybe more) while he weeps.

Why did Abel Ferrara stop making good movies?

The "message" reminded me of Flannery O'Connor, if I'm remembering this movie correctly.

But it seems like all I can remember from this movie is Keitel saying "fuck" with his kid in the car, raising an eyebrow at the sight of a naked nun, jerking off onto a car, shooting up, saying "Fuck you!" to Jesus, and dancing naked while drunk. Not sure if these count as spoilers.

Oh, and the ending was good. Not crap for entertainment, I guess, but I'm not sure if I really liked this film.