I add the (!) in the title because, as my oldest son and I watched the movie unspool this evening, I realize that while I have seen parts of this film, I don't think I've ever sat all the way through it.
Two little asides first: William Windom, instantly recognizable as the prosecutor. Then Robert Duvall as Boo Radley. I had to stare at him for a while before I saw it; maybe I'm used to seeing him as an older actor.
Nevertheless, what a spectacular film.
A daring story to tell in a book and in a movie at the time. We could use a few more movies like this.
Much is said about Gregory Peck's performance -- and the praise is deserved. But considering the cast as a whole, I have to say there's not a bad performance in the bunch.
And regarding the controversey over the first draft of the novel, "Go Set A Watchman," that dared paint Atticus Finch in racist tones, I've got to say while I haven't read the book, I'm glad it exists. It serves a different purpose than what was published first, showing the jarring complexity of life at the time, something we'd do well to look at today where we elevate people to the status of hero until they do or say something unorthodox and have to be toppled from the pedestal and rendered human. We could all do with a bit of introspection as to our own behavior and see that while we want to believe we're saintly, we sin as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment