FMJeff
10-25-2004, 07:02 AM
"I Heart Huckabees" is one of the most intriguing pictures I've seen since "Adaptation". It is a brilliant meditation on existential philosophy and its applications in behavioral psychology. The story is set admist a passionate battle between enviromentalists fighting to save precious marshlands and the evil corporation (Huckabees) plotting to turn it into another department store. It is less about that particular clash of values as it is more an exercise in the deconstruction of the stereotypical characters that embody those values. Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) plays a Albert Markovski, a poetic earth-lover in an existential crisis trying to understand himself and his place in the world. His nemesis is Brad Stand (Jude Law), a Huckabees executive and silver tongued devil who uses his charm to swindle Albert out of his environmntal group and ensure a Huckabees victory. But the real stars of this film are the existential detectives Bernard & Vivian (Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin, respectively) who Albert recruits to help him solve his internal dilemmas. What follows their enlistment is nothing short of an inspired, dizzying foray into the modern applications of two extremes in existential philosophy, that all things are connected...or that nothing is connected and life is pain and meaninglessness. The latter extreme is the dogma of Caterine Vauban (Isabelle Huppert), a nihilist who seduces Albert with her more emotionally accessible life lessons. Naomi Watts (The Ring) plays Dawn, a Huckabees model exploited for her good looks and irresitable charm. My biggest surprise in the film was Mark Wahlberg, who plays firefighter Tommy Corn. He is truly a talented young actor and has consistently delivered strong performances in a wide variety of productions, both big budget and artistic independents. I think it's safe to say "Marky Mark" is truly dead and thank g-d. He's a much better actor than a rapper.
Don't walk into the movie expecting a comedy, even though that's how it seems to be marketed in the trailers. It requires some intellectual investment, and will surely leave the more analytical popcorn-muncher with much to talk about after the film. I'm not saying the movie isn't funny, because it is...but the comedy comes from the humor of human nature and not some idiotic, cum in her hair, Farelly brothersesque slapstick. Everything has a purpose in "I Heart Huckabees"...and everything is connected. Now isn't that cool?
<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/fmjeff.gif">
<br>
It made my heart sing.
This message was edited by FMJeff on 10-25-04 @ 11:13 AM
Don't walk into the movie expecting a comedy, even though that's how it seems to be marketed in the trailers. It requires some intellectual investment, and will surely leave the more analytical popcorn-muncher with much to talk about after the film. I'm not saying the movie isn't funny, because it is...but the comedy comes from the humor of human nature and not some idiotic, cum in her hair, Farelly brothersesque slapstick. Everything has a purpose in "I Heart Huckabees"...and everything is connected. Now isn't that cool?
<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/fmjeff.gif">
<br>
It made my heart sing.
This message was edited by FMJeff on 10-25-04 @ 11:13 AM