What, no one has posted on this movie yet? I know a while back
a thread concerning the veracity of this movie indicted its authenticity. And
I’m sure the movie wasn’t, “The truth and only the truth.” I don’t care
if it’s based on a real event or fiction. For me what counts is that it
had a moral center and espoused decency towards each other because
we ALL belong to the SAME human race. Forget judging the cover of a book
or man and delve into his soul instead. This Disney movie didn’t back away
from the ugliness of racism, and it horrified and repulsed the audience
in the theater.I expected clichés, and they existed. I expected emotional manipulation,
and it happened. I expected ROCKY-aggrandizement, and it was there, but
it wasn’t over the top or excessive. I expected this movie to be a cut above its
predecessors, and it was. Two things make this movie worthwhile: its
message about our misperceptions of race and the acting. Denzel was
fine, but he wasn’t lovable or maudlin. In fact, he plays a character
that isn’t always easy to like. It was the players who stole this movie. I
think we’ll see a whole new batch of young actors emerge from this move.
Most of them were superbly natural. I won’t point out any of them
specifically until more of you have had a chance to see the movie.
(Oh, yeah, the movie has some great humor at times.)
I expected a good score from Rabin, and he composed one. I find Rabin,
like just about any other composer, sometimes unappealing and other times
just fine. This score dovetails well with the visuals. It seemed to have
three main themes: a sad, melodic theme, an almost military marching motif,
and an heraldic, action theme. Didn’t sound like much synth, more full
orchestration. I admit that RUDY is always in my mind, and I love that score,
but for me this was fine score. Expect lots of timely, typical source music,
but I was pleasantly surprised by how much Rabin underscored this movie.
I’m not sure how it would be as a stand alone, but I’ll probably buy it and
find out. ( I assume it will be produced.)
I’m interested in hearing what others of you think. I just hope our discussion
won’t disintegrate into, “And in this corner wearing the red, black, blue..
trunks is..." 
NP Nothing, going to bed.
[Message edited by joan hue on 09-30-2000]
