Gerry
Gus Van Zant’s 2003 movie “Gerry” about two friends lost in the desert has elicited opinions from adoration to disdain to deep ambivalence.
As much as I loved this hauntingly beautiful film, it’s easy to see why many people find it devoid of any real substance. With little dialog and no real plot, it is more a meditation on nature’s sublime pitilessness; how it can strengthen the bond between friends, and ultimately crush it into irrelevancy.
There are moments of great subtlety—such as the faintest hint of a smile that briefly appears on Casey Affleck’s face during a long, close-in shot of their faces as they monotonously trudge across the xeriscape. Anyone who has been on a long and difficult journey with a close companion can identify with the feelings that seem to surface here: physical toil and mental fatigue can evoke a detachment that may bring sparks of joy at the recognition of a profound friendship or perhaps the ridiculousness of the entire situation.
The monastically spare music of the great Arvo Pärt and the cinematography of Harris Savides take on larger roles as the characters’ will begins to fade along with the already minimal dialog.
It’s surprisingly one of my favorite movies that depicts nature and the ambiance of two souls lost in…wherever. Long shots and the lack of plot bring this movie closer to life, because ‘really’ plots only exist in fiction and stories, but not in real life - real life does not always make sense, but we keep going - same as these two characters do…
Recently I saw Climates’ by the Turkish Director Ceylan - not that the movie is the same, but the cinematography and the whole visceral feel of the production reminded me of Gus Van Zant’s creations.
» Posted by valoni on September 25, 2007 05:53 AM