ThePassenger (1975) – A war correspondent takes over the identity of a
dead man without knowing that the man was a gun smuggler. He
struggles to understand why he has done this and what it means to his
life moving forward.
dead man without knowing that the man was a gun smuggler. He
struggles to understand why he has done this and what it means to his
life moving forward.
Directed
by Michelangelo Antonioni Starring Jack
Nicholson, Maria Schneider
by Michelangelo Antonioni Starring Jack
Nicholson, Maria Schneider
Why
You Will Like It: A unique directorial vision of one man’s life.
You Will Like It: A unique directorial vision of one man’s life.
Palme
D’Or winner at Cannes. One of Nicholson’s favorite movies.
Antonioni felt it came closest to achieving his vision. Generally
regarded as one of the great director’s finest films.
D’Or winner at Cannes. One of Nicholson’s favorite movies.
Antonioni felt it came closest to achieving his vision. Generally
regarded as one of the great director’s finest films.
I
can’t tell you why.
can’t tell you why.
From
my point of view the movie was dull, illogical, slow, and lacking
both a clear story and ending. The actors deliver most of the dialogue
without emotion and very little inflection. Nicholson’s character
spends a lot of the movie asking some variation of “Why?” It’s
an excellent question.
my point of view the movie was dull, illogical, slow, and lacking
both a clear story and ending. The actors deliver most of the dialogue
without emotion and very little inflection. Nicholson’s character
spends a lot of the movie asking some variation of “Why?” It’s
an excellent question.
Why
does an attractive young woman (Schneider) attach herself
to a confused older man she meets at random? Who is she? There’s
a clue given late in the movie, but it doesn’t explain why she
stays with him. Why does he drop everything to take on this new
identity? He leaves a successful career, a wife, a home. There are
hints he might be unhappy but they are never explored. Why do
the weapons customers
seem so unconcerned that they give this guy money but never get their
weapons? And what happens at the end?
does an attractive young woman (Schneider) attach herself
to a confused older man she meets at random? Who is she? There’s
a clue given late in the movie, but it doesn’t explain why she
stays with him. Why does he drop everything to take on this new
identity? He leaves a successful career, a wife, a home. There are
hints he might be unhappy but they are never explored. Why do
the weapons customers
seem so unconcerned that they give this guy money but never get their
weapons? And what happens at the end?
Fans
of Antonioni have raved about the final scene of the movie. Without
giving away anything important (which would be difficult since I
don’t understand the ending) it involves a very long shot out a
window where very little happens. And
only a small percentage of it seems to have anything to do with the
story. There’s a nifty little piece of movie magic you may
not even notice (so why do it? Can’t answer that either), but this
shot goes on for several minutes. The
most exciting thing that happens is a little boy throws a stone at an
old man. Just
keep inserting the phrase “I have no idea why”.
of Antonioni have raved about the final scene of the movie. Without
giving away anything important (which would be difficult since I
don’t understand the ending) it involves a very long shot out a
window where very little happens. And
only a small percentage of it seems to have anything to do with the
story. There’s a nifty little piece of movie magic you may
not even notice (so why do it? Can’t answer that either), but this
shot goes on for several minutes. The
most exciting thing that happens is a little boy throws a stone at an
old man. Just
keep inserting the phrase “I have no idea why”.
A
little more research into the director helped me understand my
difficulty. His reputation is for valuing imagery and style
ahead of character and story. As
I’ve said before, character and story are the most important part
of a movie for me. So this is a movie designed not to appeal to
viewers like me. That was a big help. It’s interesting that I
enjoyed another of Antonioni’s films a great deal (Blow Up).
little more research into the director helped me understand my
difficulty. His reputation is for valuing imagery and style
ahead of character and story. As
I’ve said before, character and story are the most important part
of a movie for me. So this is a movie designed not to appeal to
viewers like me. That was a big help. It’s interesting that I
enjoyed another of Antonioni’s films a great deal (Blow Up).
With
this new understanding in mind, I can say he brings an
interesting visual style to the movie. The imagery surrounding the
minimal story differs from most mainstream movies. But the
leaden pace, the wooden acting, the inexplicable actions of the main
characters overwhelm the academic interest offered by the direction.
this new understanding in mind, I can say he brings an
interesting visual style to the movie. The imagery surrounding the
minimal story differs from most mainstream movies. But the
leaden pace, the wooden acting, the inexplicable actions of the main
characters overwhelm the academic interest offered by the direction.
I
went back and forth on what the rating should be. My final decision
came down to would I recommend this movie to a friend? Unless they
are a film student, the answer is no.
went back and forth on what the rating should be. My final decision
came down to would I recommend this movie to a friend? Unless they
are a film student, the answer is no.
Rating
– ** Not Impressed
– ** Not Impressed
Stories Are My Life 
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