I Watched "The Lives Of Others" Again Last Night

[Paladin]

They were showing it at a local library; there were about twenty people crammed into a small viewing room. It sounded as if most of the attendees were like me: they'd seen the movie before, and just had to see it again.

What a terrific picture. If there's ever been a better cinematic depiction of 1.)the corrosive, destructive effects of living in a police state; or 2.) the ability of the most unlikely people to spiritually evolve and redeem themselves, I haven't seen it. And all of it done with a minimum of overt sentimentality or first-time director splashiness. A movie that actually treats a viewer with intelligence--imagine that.

Highly, highly recommended. Available at your neighborhood Blockbuster, last time I looked.....

[villager]

1. it's a great movie... actually, I interviewed the director for an article when it came out

...he's a very thoughtful guy, with a clear enthusiasm for his storytelling...

Both it and "Pan's Labyrinth" made "best foreign film" the best category in last year's Oscars...

[Paladin]

2. Jeez, Were You At That Library In Suburban Denver Last Night?

You sure sound like the film critic who led the discussion group afterwards......

[villager]

3. no -- but I'm always happy to discuss that film! ;-)

n/t

[Paladin]

5. I Had To Ask

The film critic at our little get-together said he'd done an interview with the director, and he also mentioned his fondness for "Pan's Labyrinth."

[villager]

6. Either of which could've been "best picture" that year...

...with no "foreign" in front of it!

[Paladin]

7. I Wasn't Ready For "Pan's Labyrinth"

All I'd heard about it was how enchanting it was, and how wonderful the special effects were. What I hadn't been forewarned about was the unspeakable, obscene brutality of that military "father" figure. And let me hasten to add that I generally have no problems with violent, blood&guts movies. Of the two flicks, I'm glad that "The Lives Of Others" took the award.....

[villager]

8. I find both of them profound, and speaking to the moment...

But clearly, "Lives" came up strong with Academy voters that year, on the final lap...!

[swimmernsecretsea]

4. "A movie that actually treats a viewer with intelligence--imagine that."

How often I wish for that.

What a great movie. Moving and powerful.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. That's why I prefer foreign films

They're more likely to treat the viewer as an intelligent person.