“The Moped Diaries” is one of those short films that can be appreciated loved by many different audiences. However, it is difficult for the audiences to say what they like about this film. To explain why this film is so popular is an even more difficult task as a description may not do it justice.
While there are many elements about this film that make it so interesting, the fact that it is a bit on the quirky side. There is slight humor when there should not be such as when the entire family is looking at their motor home and then bend over and pick up their suitcases because they lost their “big house,” which would be the motor home because fishing had been ruined by the bridge. Then at the same time and then the next scene jumps to their mother packing up and leaving. Audience members finding themselves smirking even though it was a sad moment. Another example would be when the old man takes Levi and his brother in after their father dies. He tells them to come to his favorite fishing spot. So while the audience feels an instant of sadness, immediately you burst into laughter because he has a shotgun that he uses to shoot the fish instead of casting a reel.
The theme of this film is positive and the short length also helps to get more audience’s attention. These two factors are one of the most important criteria for a good short film. The hero in this film is the boy named Levi who lives on an isolated island which now is connected with the mainland by a bridge. This bridge is a link in this film. Every time it shows, there will be something dramatic happen to Levi. The hero narrates and introduces the audience various younger versions of himself at different defining moments in his life as he details the trials and tribulations which made him what he is today. Growing up on an island with a booming fish industry, everything initially creates the impression that Levi lives a peaceful and wonderful life. When he meets his girlfriend at the age of 10, love was just that easy. Unluckily for him is, life has other plans in store for him. Everyone, he values at last leaves him. He is sad for some time. But eventually he cheers up and chases his dream.
There are many metaphors or symbols employed by the director in this film. The biggest metaphor is the bridge. It links the isolated island to the outside world but destroys the fishing industry and makes Levi lose his mother, father and girlfriend one by one. Just as the line puts in the beginning of this film, “love can build a bridge, but the bridge built at the wrong place at the wrong time tears love apart.” It is as if everyone is finally looking for a way off the island in search of greener pastures.
But there is a flip side to each coin. In the end of this film, the hero drives his motor bicycle on this very bridge and goes for his dream. All of the scenes lay a good foundation for the climax in the end. And the positive attitude of the hero buffers the sad theme throughout the film. Each line Levi says is very classic and contributes to the good review of this film. Life for Levi is pretty tough by times and really, bad things can happen to really nice people through no fault of their own. There is no reason to give up though as, without wanting to sound too cliché, something new and exciting could be just around the corner. You just need to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and go for it. Certainly, countless films preach this very same lesson, but there aren’t many that do it in such a concise and, above all, fun way. Levi has too much confident himself. His life’s philosophy is to take everything, the good and the bad, as it comes and grieve for a brief period of time before moving on and proceeding with the great adventure that is living. Of course, it is a bit cynical that everyone he cares about ends up being taken away from him. Anyway, he is positive enough. When the good Lord gives him lemons, he makes lemonade — or at the very least learns to ignore the lemons and finds a way to get his groove back on.
The old man holding a spade written with “wake up” is also a metaphor. Levi put too much attention in the sadness of losing his girlfriend and does not want to do anything. The old man knocks at Levi and wake him up. He tells Levi to attempt new things to refresh himself. Thanks to his warning, Levi wakes up finally and makes up his mind to chase his dream.
The first scene in which the narrator is speaking shows Levi. He looks full of fear. It is a close up on his face that the director used to emphasize that there is something going on with him. With his mouth wide open, he looks full of shock, fear, and confusion. This leaves the audience wondering what is going on while looking at him up close. Viewers can feel like they are literally looking into his eyes and it feels almost a little awkward. However, perhaps, that is how we are supposed to feel. The camera then pulls back and shows him slapping his moped helmet atop his head as the narrator continues to discuss the beauty of the old country song and the way that there is always a bright side.
The diary is another thread in this film. It appears in the very beginning of this film. With each flip of this diary, there are some turning points in his life. The ending echoes the beginning through this moped diary. Flashback is used throughout this film to draw how the hero braves himself and decides to cross the bridge. Every time the family member of Levi passes away, he will cross out him or her on his family photo. To some degree, this can also reflect Levi’s positive attitude. Whatever happens, it will move on eventually and new life is always waiting for you. This also corresponds to the ending that Levi stops feeling sad for Rose and begins to find a new life.
The rhythm is compact and the lens are succinct. Each stage of Levi’s life is narrated with a few words and lens. This quick pace helps the audience keep track of the narrator’s thought. This is why this film can win countless good reviews compared with other much longer films. Within about ten minutes, the audience will know about the plot and also can be inspired and moved by this story.
Although the theme of this film is age-old that we should hold a positive attitude toward life whatever happens, it is quite practical. Think how many of us give up in front of small trouble or setbacks. After watching this film, we should bear in mind that let bygones be bygones and tomorrow is another day. Spend ten minutes of your life watching this film and I ensure you that you will feel refreshed, revitalized and re-educated after watching it. As an audience member, the whole story is told really fast and everything that happens in Levi’s life just seems to occur in just a matter of a few seconds. However, the series of events that occur still evokes a full range of emotions. The story is more about teaching viewers to try new things and to welcome the new experiences that are presented. Failure is not an option and the underlying lesson is what provides inspiration. You never know, inspiration can lie in the quirkiest of places.
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Free A Review Of The “Moped Diaries” Movie Review Sample
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