Monday, February 25, 2008
I wasn't the biggest fan of Alan Parker. I thought he had talent, sure. But, Mississippi Burning and (especially) The Life of David Gale are offensive, condescending, over-the-top, liberal nightmare/fantasies about the evils of Republicans. Sadomasochistic misery-porn for left-wing loonies.
Midnight Express is just that, I suppose, only a lot more entertaining, and much less condescending and offensive. (Although still pretty offensive if you're a Turk). It plays fast and loose with the facts, but I knew that going in and watched the film as if it were fiction. It's basically a prison movie set in hell. And on that level, as a skillful exercise in audience manipulation, it works. It goes a little too far over the top here and there, and maybe there are a few unintentional corny moments, but mostly it is a captivating, exciting movie with some strong performances. I liked it.
Also, apparently my folks once met the guy this movie is based on. They didn't think to, but if I met him I would have asked if he really bit a dudes tongue out.
(Wikipedia tells me he in fact did not)
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