i could go all night on quotes to this movie, it had such a rich, strong dialogue throughout
been a while since seeing it, gonna hafta do a re-watch
Indeed.
It holds up with each and every viewing.
Bridge on the River Kwai
It's a movie that's always been on my list of things to see, and I think I've even seen the ending once.
And it confused me a little - as it was supposed to, I think. And during the entire last hour, my pulse quickened - for reasons I couldn't possibly explain as it appeared that very little (action-wise) was occurring in the film. But I could feel it all coming to this moment. We kept building and building and finally - I knew it - something would have to snap. I think that anticipation just made me want to watch more.
What really struck me about this movie, however, was Sir Alec Guinness. He amazed me, really. What a strange character to play, with so many little quirks and hidden character traits that we never really get to see fully come to light. We got the best glimpse of Colonel Nicholson during the final bits of the movie - as he's standing on the bridge looking out at the setting sun.
I'm a sucker for scenes like this - these sappy little moments when a character sits and analyzes himself and the world around him. When he finally comes to grips with what's going on and takes the time to settle down and just think. And I'm a sucker for sunsets. I mean, c'mon. The evidence is all around us. What made me a Star Wars fan? The twin sunset scene on Tatooine - and it's essentially Luke taking a moment to reflect on his life and where it's going--or not going, at that point in time--oh and lightsabers...and Vader.
I digress.
But what a strange character to be thrown into the boots of - Colonel Nicholson, British commander turned POW, attempting to make the best of his situation and to help his men feel like soldiers instead of slaves in the midst of their capture. And in the process, he loses sight of the big picture - falling prey to the cause. And in the end, he realizes just what his place was in this world around him...just as he pondered on the bridge in the setting sun.
How hard it must be to play a role of that magnitude. I think that's what I realise more and more when I see characters like this - characters who are dealing with strange circumstances. Or pain - physical or mental. Suffering, agony. Fear, honesty, treason, resentment, anger, hurt, happiness, love, loss.
All of these emotions are so familiar to us that sometimes we reduce them to only words. "How are you today?" we ask...only to hear the answer, "Oh, I'm fine." But what is fine? Really, what are we? Do we reduce our emotions down to the base words and forget all of the joy and confusion that there is in their true form?
We're never just one thing at one time. At least, that's how I feel.
What I suppose I'm really trying to say is that acting is trying to express the sum of our emotions - not just one emotion. It's rounding out your character to be human, to be real. And that's the best way to connect with an audience. That's what draws a character to me. There's something in their movements and words and actions that develop them as a whole person in my mind - and not just a simple portrayal of an emotion.
Anywho, I found
Bridge on the River Kwai a beautifully crafted film with great depth of emotion, and sublime acting from Sir Alec Guinness. Well deserving of the praise it garners.
4/5