Watchmen

Back in 2009, my husband was very excited for the opening of Watchmen.  In the past year, he had read the graphic novel (written by Alan Moore, art by Dave Gibbons) and we went to a late showing, though we’re usually matinee people.  I went into the film bind, only knowing it was a superhero movie with some good looking effects.  I never expected something so big, a characters so compelling, a plot so dense and an intelligently altered look at post WWII history.  Since seeing the film, I’ve read the graphic novel and only became more intrigued and found more respect for the film.

Watchmen takes place in an alternate 1985.  Costumed vigilantes have helped win WWII.  An experiment gone wrong has resulted in a super powerful, nearly god-like being, Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) who helps the United States win Vietnam.  After costumed vigilantes have been outlawed, the government and the people live in fear of nuclear disaster, as the Doomsday Clock sits at 5 minutes to midnight, and moves closer.

The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has just been murdered.  This sends rogue vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) out to figure out who and why.  He fears that someone is out wanting to murder other costumed heroes, so he warns his comrades: Dan Dreiberg aka Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Laurie Jupiter aka Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) and Adrian Veidt aka Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), who owns one of the biggest companies in the world.  As Rorschach searches deeper, he discovers something bigger than a simple murder.

When Oscar season rolled around, Watchmen was completely snubbed.  Now, I wouldn’t give any of the acting major kudos, but visually, this was one of the best films of the year.  Sure, 2009 also boasted Avatar and District 9, but I believe Watchmen is at the same level of excellence.

So much that is beautiful in the graphic novel, is fleshed out unbelievably in the film.  Shots are set up straight out of individual panels.  Even senses of timing and anticipation are translated for the film’s advantage.  Some of the more fantastic scenes become as realistic on film as possible.  Dr. Manhattan’s transformation is a beautiful shocker that translates so well into film, as does his amazing construction on Mars.

Watchmen is perhaps the best graphic novel ever made.  To turn such a great work into film is a big task, but I think Zack Snyder did an excellent job here.  This film does the graphic novel justice, perfectly preserving the story, not shying away from the violence or adult themes, while honoring some of the most rich visual aspects of the original work.   While others may find Watchmen just another long, drawn out superhero movie, I believe it is a vastly underrated masterpiece.

“What happened to the American Dream?  It came true!  You’re lookin’ at it.”

A History of Violence

Adapted from the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, A History of Violence tells the story of a man in a small town family man who kills two men attempting to rob his diner.  The story makes him a local hero and grabs national attention.  Soon, mafia men from Philadelphia start appearing in town, believing to know this man and claiming he has ties to the mafia.

Viggo Mortensen plays Tom Stall, the local hero.  He and his family are loving, kind and gentle.  Their small town lifestyle feels nearly perfect, with Tom as the steady center that keeps the family stable.  The way he and his teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), are able to talk over breakfast so calm and openly is what every parent should strive for.

After the incident, everything changes.  Local reporters cannot get enough from him, but Tom is a shy hero.  At first, he tries to let everything go back to normal, but there is no denying the new light shed upon him.  When the allegations from the mafia arise, they seem ridiculous.  But their presence is so constant and threatening, the whole family is put on edge.  It’s clear to see that Tom has a very real fear of these men.

To really experience A History of Violence, avoid spoilers.  Stop reading here if you have yet to see the film.

When Tom’s past is revealed, the family’s foundation is shaken.  To his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), Tom is suddenly a new person, built up from an early life of crime and shapen for her by nothing but lies.  Jack mixes his bitterness with teenage rebellion and violence at school.  He knows a hallway fight is nothing compared to his father’s hidden past.  Tom seems to understand their newfound disgust towards him, but still seems very hurt by it.  There was probably a part of Tom that truly believed he was the small town man he created.  He played the part flawlessly for years.

If we had to boil the film down to one main theme, it would have to be survival of the fittest.  Darwinism is precisely what has kept Tom going strong.  Not only has he survived all his issues in Philadelphia, but removed himself from it and adapted to a new land and lifestyle.  He has evolved, blended in and even procreated, but kept his ability to be a ruthless killer buried deep inside.  The action scenes show he hasn’t lost that keen skill.

At the Academy Awards, A History of Violence was only up for two awards.  Their nomination for best adapted screenplay lost out to Brokeback Mountain.  Perhaps those who were more familiar with the graphic novel didn’t approve of the entire second half of the film taking so many liberties.  The second nomination was for William Hurt’s performance in a supporting role.  He has one main scene towards the end of the film, and he is spectacular.  He makes a hug feel menacing, keeps calm when he’s ruthless and sent me into an unexpected explosion of laughter with one shrug.  Well done again, Mr. Hurt.

A History of Violence is not for everyone.  With violence clearly in the title, there is a good amount of it, with a touch of gore.  The sex scenes can be too much for some viewers, and can feel uncomfortably drawn out.  But the acting is spot on and the story is more than compelling.  It falls somewhere between a drama and a thriller, with a quiet characters that create so much tension.  This really is a great and unique film.

“In this family, we do not solve problems by hitting people!”