Post by Dale on Dec 7, 2010 9:47:23 GMT -5
“The Warmth”
As far as writers go on Movie Reels, I think it’s hard to argue that SCF is one of the stronger ones. He has a real knack of characterization, especially in a tragic setting. And that’s what makes his classic horror/monster movies so good, he finds something for the audience to relate to and as such we care about the hero (or villain, depending on your point of view) of the piece. And he brings that to “The Warmth” his first non monster/horror film.
Right from the get go we see that characterization with Henry. From his practiced, monotonous daily routine that we get the feeling he’s done a million times. To the cold manner in which he talks with his co-workers and even the way he accepts praise. You feel how disconnected he is from everything going on around him and as I was going through it I just had this colour palette in my head of different shades of grey and very metallic, cool looking blues.
I liked that he wasn’t portrayed as someone who would ignore everyone around him, from the plot description and whatnot I had a feeling he’d kind of be the silent type that nobody even bothered with. So I was glad to see that wasn’t the case. I liked the effort his co-workers went to inviting him out; it makes me think Henry’s a nice enough fellow just very distant in his own way. And I think that was supported by the courteous way he responds to people, even if it is rather dull.
I think Christine provides a great contrast for Henry, she’s the kind of person who will talk to anybody and everyone, even if they’d rather be left alone. I liked that she literally had to force Henry into talking with her and how Henry becomes her project of sorts. And with her, she just radiates a colour palette of reds and gold’s and much warmer colours which I’m sure was your intent. And she’s the kind of person we all want to know, bubbly and warm, who’ll look past out faults just to get to know us. And I think that makes her relatable really.
The therapy sessions with Dr. Hendricks were my favourite parts of the movie. Not only because of the connection you made between those classic horror/tragedy movies you’re known for and this (which made me smile) but also taking that same tragic formula and applying it to Henry’s story here was inspired and pretty much verbalized the way I already felt about the character and the way the film was progressing. It connected to the flashbacks well and it also came at the perfect time as Henry’s life is in a big upheaval, his daily schedule and routine is being threatened by spending so much time with Christine and his work life is being threatened because the same courtesy his co-workers extending to him inviting him out and whatnot isn’t reciprocated when Charlie’s father dies.
I think Max mentioned it in his review, but the reason I think this film works so well is it does become like a mystery as to why Henry is so cut off from everybody. And that mystery becomes as engaging as the characters themselves. It’s strange that someone so disconnected becomes very engaging despite his cold personality. And ultimately, the conclusion with Henry finally opening up, after losing pretty much everything he had in his “adequate” is a real triumphant moment, like Dorothy stepping out of her black and white house, into the Technicolor world of Oz.
I’m sure for some the sudden change and acceptance may be a bit rushed and a bit full on in terms of a complete personality change overnight; but you know what? I think it worked. Sure, it could have been “deeper” or more gradual, but I think the flashbacks, the confrontation with Christine, getting Charlie (the person as closest to a friend Henry had) fired and just being told to stay away from was enough for me. The first twenty or so pages, established Henry’s daily routine as an almost unbreakable thing. So to disrupt in this much I think is enough for him to take a look at himself in the mirror. But maybe that’s just my opinion.
The ending itself works given the earlier mugging scene in which he did nothing. And it comes at such a tragic time, which is to be expected when it comes to an SCF film. And it tall ties in; what with the movie Henry had an obsession with and the talk about it with Dr. Hendricks. The whole things comes together extremely well and I’d be amiss not to say there were very nearly tears from me at the end; so job well done sir.
Overall, I think this stands as SCF’s finest work. There was just something so utterly compelling about this. From Henry’s rather stoic output, to the way he drives everyone around him away and the interest Christine shows in him. All the characters involved are very interesting people that help Henry come to terms with what happened to his parents and embrace life. It’s just a fantastic tale, which stays true to SCF’s tragic style and despite the nature of the main character, you can’t help but be drawn in.
Just a few closing thoughts thoughts; It might be because I read Jester’s review and something just clicked, but I too imagined this to take place in a winter setting, with snow everywhere and whatnot. Dr. Hendricks reminded me of Dustin Hoffman’s character from “Stranger than Fiction”, god knows why.
*** ¾ out of ****
As far as writers go on Movie Reels, I think it’s hard to argue that SCF is one of the stronger ones. He has a real knack of characterization, especially in a tragic setting. And that’s what makes his classic horror/monster movies so good, he finds something for the audience to relate to and as such we care about the hero (or villain, depending on your point of view) of the piece. And he brings that to “The Warmth” his first non monster/horror film.
Right from the get go we see that characterization with Henry. From his practiced, monotonous daily routine that we get the feeling he’s done a million times. To the cold manner in which he talks with his co-workers and even the way he accepts praise. You feel how disconnected he is from everything going on around him and as I was going through it I just had this colour palette in my head of different shades of grey and very metallic, cool looking blues.
I liked that he wasn’t portrayed as someone who would ignore everyone around him, from the plot description and whatnot I had a feeling he’d kind of be the silent type that nobody even bothered with. So I was glad to see that wasn’t the case. I liked the effort his co-workers went to inviting him out; it makes me think Henry’s a nice enough fellow just very distant in his own way. And I think that was supported by the courteous way he responds to people, even if it is rather dull.
I think Christine provides a great contrast for Henry, she’s the kind of person who will talk to anybody and everyone, even if they’d rather be left alone. I liked that she literally had to force Henry into talking with her and how Henry becomes her project of sorts. And with her, she just radiates a colour palette of reds and gold’s and much warmer colours which I’m sure was your intent. And she’s the kind of person we all want to know, bubbly and warm, who’ll look past out faults just to get to know us. And I think that makes her relatable really.
The therapy sessions with Dr. Hendricks were my favourite parts of the movie. Not only because of the connection you made between those classic horror/tragedy movies you’re known for and this (which made me smile) but also taking that same tragic formula and applying it to Henry’s story here was inspired and pretty much verbalized the way I already felt about the character and the way the film was progressing. It connected to the flashbacks well and it also came at the perfect time as Henry’s life is in a big upheaval, his daily schedule and routine is being threatened by spending so much time with Christine and his work life is being threatened because the same courtesy his co-workers extending to him inviting him out and whatnot isn’t reciprocated when Charlie’s father dies.
I think Max mentioned it in his review, but the reason I think this film works so well is it does become like a mystery as to why Henry is so cut off from everybody. And that mystery becomes as engaging as the characters themselves. It’s strange that someone so disconnected becomes very engaging despite his cold personality. And ultimately, the conclusion with Henry finally opening up, after losing pretty much everything he had in his “adequate” is a real triumphant moment, like Dorothy stepping out of her black and white house, into the Technicolor world of Oz.
I’m sure for some the sudden change and acceptance may be a bit rushed and a bit full on in terms of a complete personality change overnight; but you know what? I think it worked. Sure, it could have been “deeper” or more gradual, but I think the flashbacks, the confrontation with Christine, getting Charlie (the person as closest to a friend Henry had) fired and just being told to stay away from was enough for me. The first twenty or so pages, established Henry’s daily routine as an almost unbreakable thing. So to disrupt in this much I think is enough for him to take a look at himself in the mirror. But maybe that’s just my opinion.
The ending itself works given the earlier mugging scene in which he did nothing. And it comes at such a tragic time, which is to be expected when it comes to an SCF film. And it tall ties in; what with the movie Henry had an obsession with and the talk about it with Dr. Hendricks. The whole things comes together extremely well and I’d be amiss not to say there were very nearly tears from me at the end; so job well done sir.
Overall, I think this stands as SCF’s finest work. There was just something so utterly compelling about this. From Henry’s rather stoic output, to the way he drives everyone around him away and the interest Christine shows in him. All the characters involved are very interesting people that help Henry come to terms with what happened to his parents and embrace life. It’s just a fantastic tale, which stays true to SCF’s tragic style and despite the nature of the main character, you can’t help but be drawn in.
Just a few closing thoughts thoughts; It might be because I read Jester’s review and something just clicked, but I too imagined this to take place in a winter setting, with snow everywhere and whatnot. Dr. Hendricks reminded me of Dustin Hoffman’s character from “Stranger than Fiction”, god knows why.
*** ¾ out of ****
