I thank an ace observer and cinematographer Ms Samata Chaudhari for allowing me to publish her analysis of this cinematographic masterpiece.. 😀
So, here goes : (wont make sense if you haven’t seen the movie)
Visually stimulating. Poignant. And definitely thought provoking. The very beginning
of the movie with the protagonist, Alex starting his journey with his “brand new friend”,
captures the attention of the viewers as we see him walking “into the wild” amidst the
vast stretch of endless white; the background score perfectly setting the somewhat
nostalgic mood of the journey to the unknown. The scene where the focus is on the
frozen ice as Alex walks in the background creates a very sensitive image of impeccable
purity.
The country and somewhat retro background score punctuated by the moments of
absolute quiet sets up the contemplative mood and the realization that that the journey
that he’s embarked on is a lonely one.
The flashbacks and the narrative monologue of his sister, portrayed with grainy images
flowing at a different pace, cuts off from the general contemplative mood of the movie
and are highly expressive in revealing the events that are significant in the present
context of the character’s being, ”whose home is the road”.
It is going to be a really long list if one starts of with enumerating the aesthetically
beautiful visuals of the movie, which makes the movie an indulgent and powerful one
that it is. However, some are too good not to be mentioned! The one symbolizing
the approach of spring, with the ice melting from the erstwhile frozen fauna and the
growing of the drops and their subsequent falling to the ground is definitely one of the
foremost among my favorites! The one where the “supertramp” reads his book, sitting
on a rock in the sea against the backdrop of the setting sun and the home-returning sea
gulls is another brilliant one that makes one reaffirm one’s faith in the fact that pictures
can speak more than word.
Talking of scenes that leave an impact, the slow motion capture of the splashing of
water as he shakes his head while bathing is worth mentioning. The scene where he
stands amidst running horses under the golden hued sky, the one with him standing
atop the frozen mountain spreading out his hand and facing above with his eyes closed,
the one where he and the old man,Mr.Franz sits on the top of the rocky mountain as
the sun shines on them from behind the cloud-are few of the others that stand out.
The end,despite being a tragic one is portrayed brilliantly, almost like a celebration
of life; of realization of the painful truth that “happiness is only real when shared”
as the supertramp owns his real name and understands the futility of a cut-short yet
enlightening journey. With the sun glowing on his young, but pained face and the
flashbacks of his past coming back to him in the final moments of his life, the movie
ends leaving the viewers with a bitter-sweet emotion. Not that of sorrow, but of loss
intermixed with the joy of understanding.
February 26, 2011
Ravi Sinha
Nostalgia.. 