Reflection upon a film "THE KING with William Hurt" for daemonic course
"The King", filmed in 2005, leaves a deep emotional footprint long after viewing. I think, that this film is an excellent example of a modest-budget American film that does not emphasis on staginess and entertainment, but rather focuses on a thin moral message. The events of this film unfold in totally unpredictable and shocking ways, and the ending nearly made me cry.
The father played a rather negative role from the outset, trying to beg forgiving of his sins from the Lord instead of correcting his mistakes of the past. Generally, this film discusses quite a risky topic relating to religion, but the approach was cautious enough. I felt despair throughout the film, as the number of problems and misunderstandings increased with each new lie.
Unfortunately, the main character got away with it, which, from my perspective, seemed somewhat unlikely. The moment, where Malerie forgave Elvis and reconciled with the murder of her brother, without telling her father about the incident, made me misbelieve in what was happening on the screen. It seems to me, that the girl was supposed to be scared of the killer and to seek the protection of the family. After all, her parents would forgive such behavior over time, despite the complexity of this situation.
Speaking briefly, I believe that love cannot be a justification for the killing of a person, as well as any other circumstance. Elvis’s impunity creates a feeling of heaviness and bitterness in the end of this film.
Works cited
The King. Dir. James Marsh. Perf. Gael García Bernal and William Hurt. Content International, 2005. DVD.
