Beautiful film, moving soundtrack, great symbolism…
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Great Expectations
helenekremer — 13 years ago(April 02, 2013 03:57 PM)
I disliked Gwyneth when she first came on the scene in the late 90's, but have come to appreciate her more now. She really is a fine actress, and if you disagree, check out Flesh and Bone, or Deadly Relations.
I like this movie in spite of it's green theme. So the director likes green, so what? I can appreciate green symbolically. It can represent growth, money, jealousy, and inexperience (all of which would apply to this film).
Another symbolic thing I took away from this movie was the concept of flight. There are birds in the beginning when Lustig is threatening Finn, and he himself (Lustig) is in flight as he's a prison escapee. There are also birds in the park when Estella and Finn reunite in NYC. Estella is constantly in flight, usually away from Finn, although we know in a teasing manner. Planes to Paris (Finn, at end), planes to who knows where (Estella on her honeymoon with Walter and Estella when she goes abroad for school), trains (at end) these are all methods of flight. Plus, there are scenes where Finn has taken flight (by foot) in the beginning and before he escorts Estella out of the NYC restaurant.
Can you take away any other symbolic themes through the movie?
I've wanted to see this film for years, so when it was on On Demand this weekend, I watched it a couple of time.
Cheers! -
stateofmemyselfni — 11 years ago(July 25, 2014 10:41 PM)
You summed it up perfectly. When I first saw this film in my late teens I did not care for it nor did I like Gwyneth Paltrow. She bothered me, annoyed me, etc. It wasn't just in film it was when I saw any photo or video she was in.
Now being more mature and appreciative of the simple theme but impacting vibe of this film it almost becomes personal, you almost feel it in your heart. To me that is amazing with all the garbage made these days, keeping in mind this was made more than 15 years ago, it's warming and pleasing to watch.
It's a beautifully made film that took 10 years for me to re watch and appreciate. This movie has moved into my top five.
I appreciate and enjoy every emotion and passion that was put into this film, on and off the screen. -
stateofmemyselfni — 11 years ago(July 25, 2014 10:46 PM)
I also meant to say about the not liking Gwyneth portion that when I matured I realized how great she really was. She almost has this, I don't care but I love everything vibe about her and that's great. So I could appreciate it more with a better knowledge of the actors/actresses in this film.
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maz89 — 11 years ago(January 13, 2015 10:45 AM)
I'm confused about whether or not you like the "green theme". Apart from its symbolic representation though, I think that the recurring use of the color gave the film its own visual style. It's almost as if the greens of the mystical Paradiso Perduto leave a lingering aura throughout the entire film. And they do.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. -
helenekremer — 11 years ago(January 13, 2015 11:02 AM)
@maz89 I love the green theme! It's my favorite color, and it's done very well IMO in this movie. Other movies directed by Alfonso Cuaron integrate the green into the movies as well (he loves green!). It's not as pronounced in Gravity, it's almost a distraction in A Little Princess (remake of The Little Princess), and it's sublime in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.
I agree with your assessment of the color adding mystical quality to Pardiso Perduto. Just a visually stunning movie overall.
Cheers! -
maz89 — 11 years ago(February 01, 2015 08:03 AM)
Well, thanks for clearing that up.
I don't think I've noticed his love for green in other films but I'll keep an eye out next time I see something of his. Have you seen Y Tu Mama Tambien? I think that's one of his best films (if not his best).
I've written a bit about the movie here, should you want to read my thoughts on it:
https://fountaininthereddesert.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/great-expectat ions-1998/
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. -
w-vds — 9 years ago(June 10, 2016 11:13 AM)
I knew the entire plot of the film when I saw the pisces symbol engraved in the stoneway right before seeing Estella for the first time.
Estella means star and the meaning of the tarot card the star shows a lot of similarities: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/star.shtml