Introduction
The Book of Eli continues Hollywood's infatuation with post-apocalyptic stories, Where The Book of Eli is a thoughtful, art movie adapted from a Pulitzer prize-winning novel, Eli is more of a B-rated action film affected by the visual design of graphic novels, even though it's more thought provoking and less of an adrenaline rush than action films of even the 1980s. However, many see this picture to become an example of the analytical and imaginative inadequacies of many religious films. Through this paper, I will discuss the film elements of character, cinematography, dialogue and editing that was utilized both in scriptwriting and directorially, to form a film that tried to escape all that we understood about religious pictures. The Book of Eli not just uses the circumstances of the godly guy, but it went one stage further, and really 'made fun of' the notion of assault being acceptable to a Godly guy. While it dropped short through various camera shots, dialogue and rhetoric, the cinematography was the only thing that saved this film.
Film Elements
Character through Story
Denzel Washington is Eli—a lonely tourist wandering America's wastelands presumably ruined by atomic conflict 30 years earlier. The bare scenery is littered with crumbling buildings, forgotten cars, bombed roads, the fact that food and water are rare—are all elements that set up the story. Then, we have a novel with the energy to summon people under his direction—and Eli only occurs to possess the world's last remaining duplicate. The novel is the King James Version of the Bible, which is quite funny seeing that King James was a tyrant and undoubtedly had this version commissioned for social conform rather than religious purposes. Here, Eli thinks he's on a quest from God, pursuing the directions of the "still little words" within to safeguard the sacred book no matter what and conserve his blasted planet using the heavenly knowledge it has.
- Who is Eli?
That may be the million-dollar question driving this film. Is he a prophet with a mission? Yes, to a degree, and maybe a little of the scriptural judge too. He's consistently proven in prayer, daily studying his Bible, and quite excellent at pricing Bible. Fortunately, he's not exposed to be Christ in his 2nd coming, although it's easy to question if that's where the film is went since Eli has magnetic power over some figures, is apparently resistant to bullets in one picture, and has a nearly unnatural method of exacting bloody view on his opponents.
- The Implicit Meaning within Eli
The movie's violence is an obstacle for many. The film is powered more by conversation than motion, but when it really wants to be it is very chaotic. Eli is proficient with the bend, the machete, and common guns in safeguarding his novel and himself. (Check out The Family Part below for additional information.) That will awaken quarrels. Eli is a chaotic Religious, but he lives in a violent planet. Nevertheless, even when he is on the sacred pursuit, does he need to defend themself (and the Scriptures) so coldly? Can the assault of his self-defense be reconciled with the Religious concept of love and service? Let the argument start.
Discerning filmgoers may also flinch at the brutal facts of Eli's post-apocalyptic world. Cannibalism and prostitution are a notion, but never proven. Although again there's nothing graphically portrayed, rape is tried in one picture and horrifically suggested in yet another. And there's plenty of profanity. In my opinion, there is no way that a man of scriptural doctrines could commune with the notion that violence is acceptable in such a religious journey.
Cinematography
The cinematography is the one glowing point within the whole film. A color filter is incorporated by the Hughes brothers (similar to the one in 300) to provide a form of clear feel towards the unwelcoming surroundings. The setting is empty of all shade and only appears abandoned and unwelcoming. The images are fairly strong. Later in the movie, the filtration is completed away with and the transition is symbolized by the added color help to a property where beliefs and thoughts have an opportunity to succeed and grow. Aside this intelligent cinematography, there generally is no conserving grace for this movie from.
Dialogue and the Bible
While early in the movie, we recognize that the novel Eli is safeguarding is the Bible. Someplace in the post-apocalyptic 31 year schedule, all the Bibles were burnt with the exclusion of Eli's copy. While I compliment the use of the Bible as a focus of a movie, the sacred guide has no impact on something that occurs in "The Guide of Eli". Here we have a man who is a competent killer, who recites passages in the Bible every opportunity he receives - no matter its connection for this content. "Cursed be the ground for our sake.. for out of the ground we were taken and to the dust we shall return." Why would they just not use the line “Thou shalt not kill”?
Editing
The Book of Eli shows a style for fascinating visuals, swooping cameras, and action—edited to reveal tightly woven shots. There is something to be stated for an action film powered by suggestions rather than another way around, and this is particularly because of the editing in the fact that there are a minimum of fifteen minutes of film following the last action picture.
Conclusion
While such film is not for everybody, it will not eliminate the movie's good information or its amusement potential. Regardless of the barbarous assault, I came across The Book of Eli easier to stomach than the dismal facts and mental struggles of The Street. This movie is more of the crowd-pleaser in tone---a gritty comic book instead of a harsh play.
Some may think about this film as B-movie trash. Others may state it's an action film of above-average intelligence. Some may state there's a lot of dirt to go through to value the existence of the bible and that the King James Version really is the scripture of God. Nevertheless, this movie can also be a disservice to the concept of love, patience and nonviolence that Jesus immortalized through his disciples.
References
Breimeier, Russ. (2010). The Book of Eli. Christianity Today. Retrieved from
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/januaryweb-only/bookofeli.html?paging=off
Dargis, Manhola. (2010). The Book of Eli. The New York Times. Retrieved from
http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/movies/15eli.html?_r=0
Nicholas, Ken San. (2010). "The Book of Eli" is heavy on ideas, but poorly bound and edited.
Retrieved from http://www.kuam.com/global/story.asp?s=11826864
Pulver, Andrew. (2010). The Book of Eli. The Guardian Retrieved from
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jan/14/book-of-eli-film-review
Shellnut, Kate. (2010). Christianity and The Book of Eli. Retrieved from
http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2010/01/christianity-and-the-book-of-eli/
