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Re: Broken Flowers, petals amiss...

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on January 19, 2006 at 14:13:22

In Reply to: Re: Broken Flowers, petals amiss... posted by musetap on January 19, 2006 at 11:28:20:

Perhaps with so many films providing so many answers, after all, most American film caters to teenage boys, their biggest demographic, that when a film comes along that assumes the viewer has some ability to intuit what came before, the viewer is left wanting.

Murray played a man who made a fair amount of money within the computer industry. He now no longer needs to work. He is a man, similar those that many of have crossed paths with, who lacks motivation, or creativity. Now that his work is over, he has nothing to occupy his time, developed no interests beyond his work, and cannot think of anything to do with his life, except sit around, listen to music, and drink wine. This lack of motivation caused his live in girlfriend to leave. That is his life story, which is explained throughout the film. Jarmusch requires some participation from the viewer.

Enter this potential child. His neighbor, on the other hand, while seemingly less educated, less wealthy, less "cultured" is much more motivated, and happy, and prompts Murray to begin a journey that, in so far as the film is concerned, provides nothing more than for Murray do something beyond sitting at home.

Murray's character is one of complacency. Frankly, Murray acting like anything other than a zombie would not have been appropriate, because that is what the character demanded. Tom Cruise is not a character actor. He generally acts the same in most films. He is a lead actor. I am not picking on Tom Cruise. Jimmy Stewart generally played the same type of character as well. Murray has developed into a damn fine character actor, which will act depending upon the needs of the character.

Murray's performance, while similar to his role in Lost in Translation, has different nuances. In Translation, he plays a character who goes through the motions of life, and which bring him no joy until he meets a girl who brings a turn off the straight and narrow to his life. In Broken Flowers he plays a character who no longer bothers to go through the motions of life. In Translation, he displayed some of his smarmy attitude, albeit very understated. His character clearly changed after meeting Scarlett, and did so with subtly. On the other hand, in Flowers, he displayed none of that spark.

Patrick, see what you started?

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