Central Station (1998)

Central Station

Call No: PN1997 .C3857 1998

Every once and a while, I come across a film that uses the quest motif. This is typically a film in which the main characters must go on a journey or quest, and undergo an emotional transformation during the physical movement of travelling. I first learned about this kind of story and film motif in elementary school, where the example used was the classic The Lion King and The Lord of the Rings. While I have seen other films and read other stories that employ this technique, those two examples have always been the ones that I’ve found embody the conventions best. I’m now happy to include Central Station into that list.

When a tragic accident kills his mother, Josue is left without any family in Rio. Familiar with the boy because of a chance encounter, the unmarried and embittered Isadora offers to find somewhere for him to stay. But the stubborn Josue has plans of his own – he’s going to travel to find the father he’s never known. With a combination of guilt and anger, Isadora comes along. This is the trip that will change two complete strangers into friends, and transform their trip into a journey that will stay with them forever.

Shadows and Fog (1991)

Shadows and Fog

Call No: TEMP 1706

Many consider Woody Allen to be one of the great filmmakers of our time. This makes me wonder why I haven’t seen very much of his work, considering how much I enjoy watching the styles and direction of any number of filmmakers. The first and only movie that I’d seen of his (until now) was The Purple Rose of Cairo, and the only reason for that was because (a) it was about the love of movies and (b) I needed a fifth movie for a blowout sale at the CNE. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, so when one of my housemates told me that she would be watching Shadows and Fog, I tagged along for the visual ride.

Somewhere in the mist and fog of the night hides a killer, and timid bookkeeper Kleinman has been dragged out by a team of vigilantes to help in the hunt. On the other side of town, Irmy leaves her cheating boyfriend Paul and the circus she calls home to find something better. Soon these two strangers will meet in the shadows and hopefully find a way to help each other with their problems. But they had better hurry, because when you spend any time in the fog, the killer can’t be far behind.

I Know Where I'm Going! (1945)

I Know Where I’m Going!

Call No: PN1995.9.M27 I3 2001

One of the reasons that I wanted to watch this movie was for the premise. When I see films that are part of the Criterion Collection, they’re usually of a certain calibre of quality. Rarely are they straightforward or simple. They often strike me as the equivalent of literature – not excessively popular, usually exceptional, but of a particularly acquired taste. Imagine my surprise when I found I Know Where I’m Going as part of the collection – a film which, in its simplest description, reads like a romantic dramedy (comedy/drama). Now that I’ve watched the film, I can understand why the Criterion Collection has adopted it under its name and released it. It can be considered a romantic dramedy, but at its heart it is a film meant for the people of Scotland.

Joan Webster has never had a problem chasing down what she wants in life. So when she decides that she wants to marry a rich Scottish lord on his private island in the Scottish Hebrides, nobody doubts her determination. Unfortunately the weather has other plans, and Joan is forced to wait out the storm with Torquil, a naval officer who has taken leave to come home for a week. Suddenly Joan’s plans aren’t as clear as she thought, and the person she’ll have to convince the most that she still knows where she’s going is herself.

Far From Heaven (2002)

Far From Heaven

Call No: PN1997.F296 2003

I knew little to nothing about what the film Far from Heaven was going to be about, though from the trailer I could gather enough of a plot together in my own head. The plot I conjured up was fairly straightforward and very common. Having now seen the film, I was pleasantly surprised that this film does not convey your typical story. It is far more complicated, more moving, and more thought provoking than that. Though this isn’t a film for everyone, it is a good example of a film moving past typical expectations while still not wanting to risk everything and become too controversial. It is a compliment to and enhancement of All That Heaven Allows, the film it is inspired by.

Cathy Whitaker is a perfect wife, mother and friend. She supports her husband, helps her children in every way possible, and is often cited as an inspiration to others in the society pages. But her perfect life is shattered without warning by the actions of her husband Frank. Trying to keep some semblance of a life intact and fighting to keep both her secrets and her sanity, she finds comfort in her friendship with her gardener Raymond Deagan. Tensions rise and women begin to gossip, and it’s only a matter of time before Cathy faces decisions that could jeopardize the lives of everyone she cares about.

The Visitor (2007)

The Visitor

Call No: PC 3081

Up until a few years ago, I only ever watched the typical Hollywood type movies. It was both by choice and by interest – I was only ever exposed to Hollywood trailers, and they were more easily accessible. Over the last few years, I’ve been watching more independent, foreign and little known films. When I get tired of the typical clichés that are so frequently used in popular films, I find these types of films to be a breath of fresh air. Watching The Visitor was very much like that. It was something akin to enjoying a cup of hot tea after a busy day – calm, soothing and reflective.

The Visitor is the story of Walter Vale, a Connecticut professor whose life is a product of routines and disinterests. When he’s forced to return to New York for a conference, his quiet and boring life is shaken by the two illegal immigrants he finds living in his apartment. Feeling bad for Tarek and Zainab, that have been conned into renting the occupied but rarely used apartment, Walter invites them to stay. The three become friends, but it isn’t long before Walter’s newfound friendships are threatened when Tarek is wrongfully arrested, bringing his status to light.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dead Poets Society

Call No: TEMP 1091

The first time I saw Dead Poets Society was in my grade twelve English class (which, in a vague attempt not to date myself, was a number of years ago). This seems to be a recurring theme, as most of the people who I’ve met and have seen the film saw it in the same way: in a classroom. At first viewing I can understand the hype. It’s easy to get caught up in the film. But the reason you watch the film can definitely have an impact on what you get out of it.

The film opens at Welton Academy, an all boys private school. Neil and his friends Knox, Charlie and others are ready for whatever the new school year brings, including new arrival and roommate Todd and charismatic and inspiring new English teacher Mr. Keating. Though considered unorthodox by the school’s standards, Mr. Keating captures the attention of the boys and begins to help them appreciate the world around them by taking risks and living life to the fullest. Between the stresses of life and the influences of Mr. Keating, the lives of the boys in this English class are about to be changed forever.