Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by TG (i) on July 30, 2000 at 22:48:27:

In Reply to: My problem with the remake. posted by TAFKA Steve on July 30, 2000 at 17:18:04:

No, the morality didn't bother me, as young Charles did not have to lie to protect his "friends", he merely withheld evidence in a climate of corruption, oppression, expectation and guilt

Rather like the Senate committee hearings on un-American activities in the 50s.

If there was a moral, it was more along the lines that holding onto one's own principles with integrity is occasionally a better servant of "truth" than simple co-operation with established social justice. That truth is not always a simple matter of following the rules blindly, nor of just backing up your mates if you know they are wrong.

Now, the thing which REALLY bothered me was the chocolate-box, Norman Rockwell ending to the film. Up until the last 10 minutes or so (where Charlie is "on trial") the story is over the top, but the strength of the characters still carries it off. However the saccherine, "happy" ending really spoils the mood of things for me. I would much have preferred to see the ending unresolved, with Charlie & the colonel parting company at the school gates as compatriots, Charlie strengthened & resolved to face the music with courage, and the colonel's previously unresolved need for human contact finally reconciled.

Just my 2c
TG