In the film Ben-Hur Judah Ben-Hur who is on a torture trip along with the other prisoners and criminals is denied water. As he pleads “Oh God” Christ comes with a pitcher of water, washes his face and gives him more water to drink. The guard notices this and says, “I said-no water for him.” The line by itself is simple and has no connotative meaning. But as he watches the face of Jesus Christ (we the audience are not given this view) the guard’s expressions change. He nearly takes back his words, watches in silence and begrudgingly walks away. This scene which follows the guard’s one –liner acts as a pivot since Ben-Hur carries water to Christ when he is forced to carry the cross. This is one of those scenes that I would like to recall again and again. The speech by Morgan Freeman in Shaw shank Redemption, “I tell you those voices soared – and for the briefest of moments-every last man in Shaw shank felt free.” Poetry and cinema especially when one looks at the plot of the movie, entwined with issues of Liberty, Freedom and the choice to be free even inside a prison. I keep returning to this scene not only because of the power embedded in it but also because of the magnetic power in Morgan Freeman’s narration.
Marlon Brando’s classic portrayal of a New York Mafia Don who deigns to play the game only on his terms is singularly outstanding as a performance for all ages but also highlights the inexpressive, restrained, laconic Man who shows more than he speaks. “Bona Sera, Bona sera what have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully.” The reticent, esoteric portrayal of Don Corleone gives me chills. We tend to develop a deep bonding with some films. Call it maudlin, call it melodramatic but ‘How Green was my Valley ‘makes me cry. John Ford’s movie about the vicissitudes of life in a Welsh mining family has some memorable scenes and lines.
Eoin Morgan’s sing song call to his father Dada, Dada who is buried deep inside a collapsed mine, the comment from his brothers “Our little brother has become quite a man” when he evades questions about a school fight and the picture of a life disappearing from the onslaught of commencing industrialization will remain forever in my heart. I watched it on late night DD way back in 1990. I must have watched it another 10 times since then but it has an enduring well of meaning for me. If cinema could be about real people this movie for me is reality along with Rome- Open City.
As the dying media baron utters ‘Rose Bud’ ‘Rose Bud’ a search for meaning begins. What makes Citizen Kane such a magnificent film is the scale. Mr. Kane’s grandiloquent life, full of victories and achievements reminds me of “Life is a tale-full of sound and fury –signifying nothing. “ And what can be equal to the terror that grips the audience in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. As the FBI trainee Clarence Sterling screeches into the phone ‘Dr Lecter, Dr Lecter’ trying to get some information out of this psychopathic serial killer the grotesque viciousness of Dr Lecter and Buffalo Bill plays on your mind, “I ate his liver with fava beans,” the intense, paranormal portrayal by Anthony Hopkins will be inimitable forever. For sheer exhilaration and adventure, before the advent of Mission Impossible or other such flicks, I lapped up the entertainment 007 provided. In his ironic, sleuth style which mixed arrogance, coolness and charm the words, the name is Bond, James Bond, echoed across theatres to bring back to life, Ian Fleming’s celebrated spy in her Majesty’s secret service.
James Cameroon’s futuristic saviour from a time yet to come who functions with ruthlessness but is a little less impassive or clinical than his adversary has classic one liners, ”I Terminate, I will be back. Come with me if you want to live.” In the context of the film these simple words are heavy and loaded. From the writer’s own output the words “Elementary. My dear Watson” as Sherlock Holmes unravels the intricacies of a detection done on the spot to his friend Dr.Watson, this intellectual spirit full of investigative zeal can awaken you to take notice of the small things that crowd life but could provide a wealth of information to a discerning eye. Conan Doyle’s detective is a precursor for all celebrated detectives after him. Hercule Poirot, Perry Mason. Anguste Dupion have emulated or eclipsed him but could never reproduce the ironical, condescending conversation which started with Elementary My Dear Watson.