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deckard.'s avatar

deckard.

yes! hartley definitely has captured some things in this. simple, warm, moving, eternal. brilliant.
1 year 11 months ago
Siskoid's avatar

Siskoid

Hal Hartley ends his unofficial "Long Island" Trilogy with Simple Men, his first three full features exploring male vulnerability - a theme he never entirely forgets even if it's not center stage after this. Two brothers (a career criminal and a college student) go looking for their father (a radical) after he escapes from jail. They encounter a couple of alluring women in the country and there hangs the bulk of the film. While the younger brother is seeking confirmation that his father isn't a cold-blooded murderer, as if he can't move forward without unlocking the secrets of his heritage, the heartbroken elder promises to seduce and not be seduced by the next pretty woman to come into his life. There's also a sheriff in town who falls into day dreams of yearning. So male vulnerability (as opposed to the more toxic "fragility"). Talk a good game to hide your needs and lack of fulfillment. Rationalize your failings as quests and ploys, but we know the score. But can you transplant a tree without knowing too much about trees? Trees, like men, are pretty simple when you come right down to it. All the bonus points for the Sonic Youth track and accompanying dance number.
7 months 1 week ago
traistboar's avatar

traistboar

"Jumpy Girls are Great"
4 years 2 months ago
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