A fantastic mod puzzle
Cinematic flapper
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 2/9/09 Section: Lifestyles
For my weekend trip to the cinema, I had anticipated watching the French film starring the lovely Kristin Scott Thomas, "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime" or "I've Loved You So Long." The local papers announced it was playing in town, but my visit to the theater was in vain as it was not playing anywhere in town. Angry, forbidden words were at the tip of my tongue. It's not very often that a French film plays in the local theaters and to be deceived was disappointing to say the least.
To find solace, I wandered aimlessly to the public library and sorted through their impressive DVD collection. My eye appreciates bold, pretty things, and a bright red poster featuring a black image of a photographer on top of a model captivated my attention. The DVD turned out to be Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 British-Italian film, "Blowup." What intrigued me even more is that English playwright Edward Bond wrote the English dialogue in Antonioni's English debut.
"Blowup" is a tale of about 24 hours in the life of Thomas, a successful fashion photographer in London, whose world revolves in fashion, pop music, marijuana and free love - themes that are constantly referred to throughout the film.
Despite being surrounded by beautiful women in beautiful clothes, Thomas feels his life is boring and full of despair, and walks off the set many times during his photo shoots. He wanders into a nearby park where he sees two lovers and takes photos of them, much to the anxiety of the woman (played by Vanessa Redgrave) who stalks him back to his studio asking for the film. Her madness startles and intrigues Thomas, which makes him want the film even more.
Thomas makes blowups of the film and, despite some rough grain, the photos seem to suggest a body lying in the grass and a killer lurking in the trees with a gun. He continues to blow up the negatives, trying to uncover all of the small details and trying to make meaning for what he has photographed.
Although the plot suggests a thriller, there is a lyrical quality in "Blowup." The color is simply gorgeous and the fashion and music is flawless. In fact, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock wrote the score. The film's lone standout scene is the cameo made by the Yardbirds who performs "Stroll On" in the last third of the film. As Keith Relf sings, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck play guitar side by side. After his guitar amplifier fails, Beck bashes his guitar to bits and the crowd goes wild as they try to grab his broken guitar.
I found the film to be quite simple, but I'm not exactly sure if I completely understand what everything means. This confusion is also exacerbated by the inconclusive ending, as I'm sure there are some things that I've missed from the masterful puzzle that Antonioni created.
Anna Nguyen is the lifestyles editor of The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Monday.
To find solace, I wandered aimlessly to the public library and sorted through their impressive DVD collection. My eye appreciates bold, pretty things, and a bright red poster featuring a black image of a photographer on top of a model captivated my attention. The DVD turned out to be Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 British-Italian film, "Blowup." What intrigued me even more is that English playwright Edward Bond wrote the English dialogue in Antonioni's English debut.
"Blowup" is a tale of about 24 hours in the life of Thomas, a successful fashion photographer in London, whose world revolves in fashion, pop music, marijuana and free love - themes that are constantly referred to throughout the film.
Despite being surrounded by beautiful women in beautiful clothes, Thomas feels his life is boring and full of despair, and walks off the set many times during his photo shoots. He wanders into a nearby park where he sees two lovers and takes photos of them, much to the anxiety of the woman (played by Vanessa Redgrave) who stalks him back to his studio asking for the film. Her madness startles and intrigues Thomas, which makes him want the film even more.
Thomas makes blowups of the film and, despite some rough grain, the photos seem to suggest a body lying in the grass and a killer lurking in the trees with a gun. He continues to blow up the negatives, trying to uncover all of the small details and trying to make meaning for what he has photographed.
Although the plot suggests a thriller, there is a lyrical quality in "Blowup." The color is simply gorgeous and the fashion and music is flawless. In fact, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock wrote the score. The film's lone standout scene is the cameo made by the Yardbirds who performs "Stroll On" in the last third of the film. As Keith Relf sings, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck play guitar side by side. After his guitar amplifier fails, Beck bashes his guitar to bits and the crowd goes wild as they try to grab his broken guitar.
I found the film to be quite simple, but I'm not exactly sure if I completely understand what everything means. This confusion is also exacerbated by the inconclusive ending, as I'm sure there are some things that I've missed from the masterful puzzle that Antonioni created.
Anna Nguyen is the lifestyles editor of The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Monday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
spartacus007
Adam
posted 2/09/09 @ 5:42 PM CST
I love Blowup. It's about how the camera lies because you can't see what is just off the screen - whether its the murderer or the solving of the crime. (Continued…)
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