I hardly noticed when the bell rang to end 7th period, because I was completely engrossed in the movie. The sound of the bell was miniscule compared to the sound of the train's engine on the screen. This movie, Runaway Train is so far surprisingly entertaining and appealing to a Romantic Comedy lover like me.
Mr. Bennet was right about one thing (maybe a few others too...); John Voight transforms into another character completely. From Joe Buck to Manny, his persona changes from a happy, go-lucky cowboy into an intimidating, unkempt escaped convict. If I hadn't been told it was Mr. Voight himself, I would've never guessed otherwise. I happen to care for Manny's character more than Joe Buck's. Although both characters are confident, Manny's certainty and expertise has a greater affect on me. His dark and felonious nature, gives him more edge and mystery, than the character of Joe Buck’s.
As he escapes you can't help but desire that he gets away successfully and that Buck the laundry guy gets left behind. During this scene, I think the shot where the laundry cart stands alone, but the watch light doesn't reach it, shows the weakness of authority. Also the many shots of the prisoners throwing burning paper and clogging their toilets, shows the lack of control that the guards have in the prison. Even though the prison guards seemed to be insufficient, there are many camera angles from up above, casted down on the prisoners to make them look insignificant and like the "pieces of human waste" that they are.
I'm anticipating watching the risky journey to freedom these convicts are about to embark on and the grand entrance of the actual "runaway train".
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Very good comments. The film really builds from here on.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment about the cart. I have often wondered about that shot also. Your analysis is good. My sense originally was that it signalled that they would be easy to follow, but symbolically your answer is better.
Today when I was watching the film, I actually rethought what I wrote in my post. I was thinking that maybe the shot of the cart was a foreshadowing that they'll be easily tracked down(your thoughts exactly). As they go along, they seem to be leaving tracks all over the place. The laundry cart, their foot marks in the snow (although I'm sure the newly fallen snow would cover those), and Buck's shirt with his prison number on it. I guess it all coincides with the idea of a runaway train and its tracks.
ReplyDeleteVery nice comments about the laundry cart. I remember that shot but I could not figure out the significance of it and I'm still not sure but you and Mr. Bennet together certainly discussed the possible ideas behind it. I am also interested to see how this movie ends.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of characters, I am able to see Jon Voight in both characters but he is certainly a very well-varied actor and pulls off both runs incredibly well, virtually seamless. And I do agree with you, although in Runaway Train, Manny is a convict, I am rooting for him to succeed more than I was rooting for Joe Buck. This, of course seems very strange that we are all in favor of a convict actually escaping, but I think that Manny has some good characteristics and I think this his escape will actually be a good thing.
Very insightful comments Lindsay!
As far as not looking like Joe Buck, it doesn't hurt that John Voight is 16 years older in this film and wearing a terrible looking moustache. I agree that Manny's character has a few extra dimensions to him. Your blog was a pleasure to read, it was, in a word: insigthful.
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