The Road (spoilers)

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Non's avatar

Non

Senior Member

9,517 posts
Jun 8, 2010 6:18 PM
Anyone watch this movie?

A little different. Probably considered stupid by a lot of viewers but I ended up liking it after thinking about it more.

From director John Hillcoat and starring Viggo Mortensen as a father who must guide and protect his son in a post-apocalyptic world.

Not much happens, frankly, and it's incredibly bleak as it turns out that their journey is only to the coast and when they arrive they have little to do except sit on the beach and look out at the water and the eerie sky.

I guess the film is about a few things. For the father it's entirely about keeping his son safe and alive and with "the fire burning" inside as he puts it. For the son there is a natural urge to seek somebody of the same age. He's with his father and along the way they meet up with an old man played by Robert Duvall but at one time he thinks he sees another little boy running around but it's just in his mind. Both the father and son are searching for food for survival but it's just to survive and make the best of it, there is no hope for a good life only life.

I liked another film by Hillcoat called "The Proposition." An Australian Western made in 2005 starring Guy Pearce, Danny Huston, Ray Winstone, John Hurt.
Jun 8, 2010 6:18pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Jun 8, 2010 6:29 PM
Have you read the book? One of my favorites.

I liked the movie and The Proposition was excellent. One of the better westerns that I've seen.

They botched the release of the film though as it was supposed to come out a year earlier than it did and then when they finally got it out it was only in like 350 theaters.
Jun 8, 2010 6:29pm
Non's avatar

Non

Senior Member

9,517 posts
Jun 8, 2010 6:37 PM
Yeah The Proposition never really made the US mainstream but it was a good Western.

I remember critics making a big deal about it being too brutal but I love the way it's put together with the music and the slow build that you had with the Sergio Leone films and then the violence.
Jun 8, 2010 6:37pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Jun 8, 2010 6:45 PM
Nick Cave did the soundtrack for the Proposition which is usually a sign it'll be sweet.

Critics whine about everything.

And Cormac Mccarthy is the best American author alive.
Jun 8, 2010 6:45pm
Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

3,394 posts
Jun 8, 2010 6:51 PM
I Wear Pants;383315 wrote:And Cormac Mccarthy is the best American author alive.

Agreed.

The Road film wasn't bad, probably slow for some, but the book was great.
Jun 8, 2010 6:51pm
Thunder70's avatar

Thunder70

Senior Member

748 posts
Jun 8, 2010 7:49 PM
Book was amazing. The movie, IMO, stayed pretty true to the book.

Not a movie for everyone though...
Jun 8, 2010 7:49pm