Movies Of The Spirit - Page 16 of 20 -

THE BIG SICK

Kumail waits at the hospital with Emily’s parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano)

THE BIG SICK

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

This is my favorite film, so far, this year.

“The Big Sick” is all about how a brave Muslim comedian, Kumail Nanjiani, (true story) meets an American girl, Emily V. Gordon (Zoe Kazan) in his audience, while he is struggling to become a comedian.

She brings out the best in him, and he responds by loving her forever.

As the story opens, Kumail is fighting his way out of the expectations of his Pakistani, Muslim family, who are not too subtle about hooking him up with a nice Muslim girl.

This is post 9/11, when all Muslims are under intense scrutiny by all Americans. In fact, Emily’s parents, are quick to ask him, point blank, “What’s your take on 9/11?”

Breaking out of his multi-faceted, straight-jacket, after having been confronted with this question, over and over, Kumail responds, “Yeah, it was bad, we lost 19 of our best guys.”

Clearly, Kumail is letting go of all sense of safety. He is saying go ahead and kill me now. A stressed-out Muslim, seeks suicide by stressed-out American parent.

I loved seeing Holly Hunter as Emily’s mother. As always, she is laser-sharp in her approach, but fair. She has disappointments in her marriage, but stays for the love and support.

As soon as we see Emily’s father, Terry, played by Ray Romano, we know immediately what attracted Emily to Kumail. He’s the spitting image of her father. Except, the real Terry Gordon, does not look that way at all. I guess the filmmakers felt a need to explain the attraction.

Kumail puts together a one-man, stand-up show to introduce Americans to his Pakistani culture. He innocently is trying to show us why he is proud of his country of origin.

Emily, a student therapist, suggests to him, that what would make this piece interesting to Americans, would be for him to tell us about how he really feels about his country.

This is the key that unlocks Kumail’s career as a comedian. There is nothing like extreme tension to make people laugh.

In his final stand-up performance, Kumail explains about how his parents do not approve of his chosen profession. “There is doctor, lawyer, hundreds of jobs, Isis, then, at the bottom of the list, is comedian.”

I have to say that before seeing this film, I was aware of the existence of a Muslim comedian, who talked about being a Muslim in America.

This film is a must see on many levels. It’s timely, relevant, real, and it tackles what matters in today’s definition of a marriage.

top to bottom) Movie Emily (Zoe Kazan) and Kumail vs real Emily and Kumail.

Kumail Nanjiani Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumail_Nanjiani

Emily V. Gordon Bio: ( Zoe Kazan)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_V._Gordon

Holly Hunter Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly_Hunter

Ray Romano Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Romano

History vs Hollywood:

http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/the-big-sick/

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7/10/2017 # The Big Sick

BEATRIZ AT DINNER

Beatriz (Salma Hayek) decides to attend the dinner just as she is.

BEATRIZ AT DINNER

Film review by Marlene Ardoin

“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.” – Sophie Tucker

“Beatriz at Dinner” may look like a battle between the givers and the takers, but they are both right. The winner is a balance of the two extremes.

Beatriz (Salma Hayek) appears to be unable to receive. Being poor does not make her superior. Her client, Kathy (Connie Britton), offers to dress her up for the dinner, then later, offers her money for the tow home, both offers are refused. Had she accepted these offers, the outcome may have been drastically different.

Beatriz is the odd one out. At the dinner, she describes an experience with her father, where he was kicking an octopus. She sides with the octopus.

Another point of view is that her father was trying to protect her from the octopus. Had she had this alternate point of view, things might have turned out very different for her.

I believe that we shape our world by how we see it. A more positive viewpoint would have enabled Beatriz to love men, to love the world as it is, and then, to become a positive force in making it even better.

Doug Strutt (John Lithgow) has no problem accepting and showing appreciation for her shoulder massage. When alone with her, he offers her a gift. He points out that we are all dying from the moment that we take our first breath. He encourages her to try to enjoy her life.

Beatriz appears to have more judgment, more pride and more ego as the “healer”, than her opponent, “the successful rich guy.” His comments make her seethe. But, he expresses more love and caring, than her massages or songs do.

Doug Strutt, the man who kills rhinos, who strips bare the environment, who is on his third wife, has the moral high ground here.

I personally prefer all of his transgressions to the transgression that Beatriz ends this film on. I left the theatre feeling ashamed to my core for identifying with Beatriz.

While everyone else is sending prayer lanterns into the air, Beatriz chooses to take a swim by herself.

This story is very much needed at a time in the history of our world, where the “Have Nots” are blaming the “Haves” for all of their misfortune.

Bravo to the writer, Mike White. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

But wait a second, what if this is the guy, who is hiking up the cost of cancer treatments by 5000%, who is raising the price from $12.50 a tablet to $750 a tablet?

What if this is the guy, who does not pay his workers a living wage?

What if this is the guy, who is kicking families out of their homes, so he can raise the price 500% higher?

Or, what if this is the guy who is cutting down all the 3000 year old redwoods?

These are just variations to the story, which would make that guy less likeable or sympathetic.

His jokes would be more offensive.

As written, I do not feel the script is sympathetic to Beatriz, nor does it capture all the reasons for her despair and anger.

Public humiliation is just a part of it. Racism and indifference can be subtle and very debilitating.

Doug Strutt (John Lithgow) is pensive during dinner.

Bio of screenwriter Mike White:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_White_(filmmaker)

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6/28/2017 # Beatriz at Dinner

MY COUSIN RACHEL

Rachel (Rachel Weisz) accepts the family necklace from Philip (Sam Claflin).

MY COUSIN RACHEL

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

In the Victorian era of “My Cousin Rachel,” if a woman’s husband dies of a brain tumor, why do her husband’s relatives assume that she must be some kind of black widow?

This theory does not make any sense, because women could not inherit property then. If a husband dies, and a woman has no male children, she is out of business.

In the film, “My Cousin Rachel,” Rachel (Rachel Weisz) is in a destitute situation. So, she throws herself at the mercy of her husband’s male heir, Philip (Sam Claflin).

Philip is just 24 years old when he meets Rachel, who is an older, but very accomplished woman.

Philip spurns Louise (Holliday Grainger), the daughter of his godfather, Nick Kendall (Iain Glen), who is managing his estate, which Philip is due to inherit at age 25.

Rachel is walking into a very unfriendly and deadly environment. She has to please Philip, so he will support her, but she immediately sees that Louise has her sights on him as a husband. Her every move is analyzed mercilessly.

Does Rachel have no other relatives? No one makes inquiries about her family.

She does have a male confidant, Rainaldi, who helps her manage the closing of her deceased husband’s villa. Rainaldi is the one who supplies the death certificate and verifies that Philip is still the heir, with no changes to his uncle’s will.

Philip is too young to intuit Rachel’s situation. Rather, he sees her approach as a come on to him, and he spurns Louise, because Louise is too frank with him, which wounds his ego.

I also wonder why Philip’s estate is in such a shambles just before Rachel arrives. The dogs have their run of the mansion and the roof leaks.

The story is by Daphne du Maurier, who’s other novels have also been the subjects of American films, such as “Rebecca” and “The Birds.” Another version of “My Cousin Rachel” was made in 1952, starring Richard Burton and Olivia de Havilland.

Most Hollywood films feature happy endings, but not du Maurier’s stories. She explores interesting character studies, which ring true.

The filming of the 2017 version of “My Cousin Rachel” is exquisite. Very strong, beautiful and vivid imagery.

Rachel (Rachel Weisz) ponders her situation.

Bio of novelist, Daphne du Maurier:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphne_du_Maurier

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6/24/2017 # My Cousin Rachel

PARIS CAN WAIT

Michael (Alec Baldwin) waves goodbye.

Jacque (Arnaud Viard) drives Anne (Diane Lane), who is holding a rose.

PARIS CAN WAIT

Film review by Marlene Ardoin

Eleanor Coppola, wife of renowned filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, had an experience, which caused her to write her own script, then to direct her own film, “Paris Can Wait,” which gives a voice to all middle-aged women, who suddenly feel invisible.

I loved this film. And in my opinion, she needs to keep going, even if she is 81 years old.

Eleanor Coppola has a successful marriage, successful children, and now, I feel that it is never too late to become a successful filmmaker/writer/director.

In her film, Diane Lane plays Anne, the wife of a successful movie producer, who decides to join her husband in Europe, while he is on location. She soon discovers that this may be a bad idea.

Alec Baldwin plays Michael, the movie producer husband, who, when he does get off the cell phone, is criticizing his third wheel wife for ordering two sandwiches. He shames her ruthlessly.

It seems that she does not know French well enough to communicate that she wanted cheese on her hamburger, hence the second cheese sandwich.

And to compound his error, her husband leaves her alone with his luggage, telling her to call the bellman. She tries using the phone, but, again the language barrier. She ends up becoming the bellman, instead.

By the time Anne makes it to the airport, she has a pounding earache. Her husband does not notice her distress, but his French business associate, Jacques (Arnaud Viard), does notice.

Jacque offers to drive Anne to Paris, rather than have her take the small plane to Budapest with her husband.

And to compound his error even further, her husband shows no signs of jealousy, concern or caring for her. He essentially throws her under the influence of a total male stranger.

Her husband, Michael, seems oblivious to the fact that she may be experiencing some distress, because her daughter is now no longer at home and her dress shop business has just closed.

She was hoping to connect with her husband, who is revealing that he is a total asshole.

Luckily, Jacques is a kind and generous soul, who is everything that her husband is not, except, maybe not as rich.

Jacques starts off by taking care of her earache.

And to compound that, he turns out to be a good travel mate. He is sensitive to her needs. He asks questions and shows interest in her. He is not stingy with food. He takes special care to see that she is served the finest of French food.

What is endearing about him, is that he agreed to drive her to Paris, even though the car that he owns, probably will not make it.

He stops every hour on the road, telling her that he needs to stretch his legs and have a cigarette. I’m not buying it. He is seeing that his engine is heating up, because the fan is about to go out.

It becomes apparent that these two are very compatible. They are comfortable in each other’s company. And, their level of emotional intimacy is reached at warp speed.

So, if you are married, divorced, or hoping to stay married, may I suggest going to see this film.

Eleanor Coppola.

Interview with Eleanor Coppola and Arnaud Viard:

http://deadline.com/2016/09/eleanor-coppola-paris-can-wait-arnaud-viard-tiff-

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6/14/17 # Paris Can Wait

A QUIET PASSION

Poet Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon) kisses the forehead of her beloved father, Edward (Keith Carradine).

A QUIET PASSION

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Poet Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon), thanks to her forward thinking father, Edward Dickinson (Keith Carradine) was spared the fate of most Victorian women. Too bad the film, “A Quiet Passion,” does not see it that way.

Not only Emily, but her sister, Vinnie (Jennifer Ehle), chose not to marry, even though both women were attractive and of good family.

In the Victorian era, women had no rights. They became the property of their husbands and were expected to clean and bear children.

They did not get educations. They did not vote. They could not have property. And, they could not have money. A shortened term for Victorian is victim.

Emily, on the other hand, had a father, who was an attorney, a congressman, who served on the board of a college, and who made sure that all his children were educated.

Yes, Emily became a recluse, because that was easier than having to explain why she was not married, during an era that saw it as being something shameful.

Also, the American Civil War occurred in 1861, when Emily was just 30 years old. Most of the eligible men died during that time period.

Emily received pleasure through writing poetry.

And, the household did not have all the servants that the film implies. Both, Emily and her sister took care of the housework and cooking, because her mother (Joanna Bacon as Emily Norcross Dickinson), was not able, because of depression and a stroke.

When Emily’s father died, her brother, Austin (Duncan Duff), who also became an attorney and, who also served on the College Board, took care of his female family members.

Austin’s wife, Susan Gilbert Dickinson (Jodhi May), was one of Emily’s old school friends. Emily considered Susan a confidant, but after Emily’s death, Susan was not interested in seeing that her poetry was published.

Susan gave Austin three children, two boys and a girl. Both of the boys died before their time.

Emily became very attached to her brother’s children, particularly the youngest nephew, Thomas Gilbert (Gib) Dickinson (1875-1883). It is thought that Emily’s health took a sharp decline after his death. Emily died in 1986.

After Emily’s death, it was Austin’s mistress, Mabel Loomis Todd (Noemie Schellens), who took an interest in getting Emily’s poems published. Sister Vinnie approached her after Susan, Austin’s wife, seemed uninterested.

Mabel did sing and she was only about 25 years old, when she met Austin, who was much older than she was.

Mabel’s husband was a much older professor and astronomer at the college, where Austin served on the board. Mabel’s husband, David Peck Todd, did not seem to mind the affair. He and Mabel had a daughter together.

Long story short, Emily only got about twelve of her poems published during her lifetime, then all 1800 or so poems were published after her death, and have remained in print ever since.

“A Quiet Passion” does not get all the facts straight, but it is worth seeing. Emily Dickinson is forever an American treasure as a writer.

(L. to r.) Emily (Cynthia Nixon) and Vinnie Dickinson (Jennifer Ehle).

Emily Dickinson, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Dickinson

Women in the Victorian era

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Victorian_era

Famous Female Writers of Victorian Era. Their Names, Works, Information

http://www.victorian-era.org/famous-female-writers-of-victorian-era.html

Bio of Austin Dickinson, Emily’s brother

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Austin_Dickinson

Lavinia “Vinnie” Dickinson, Emily’s sister

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavinia_Norcross_Dickinson

Bio of Mabel Loomis Todd:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_Loomis_Todd

http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/mabel-loomis-todd-adulteress-made-emily-dickinson-famous/

Bio of Mabel’s husband, David Peck Todd:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Peck_Todd

Susan Gilbert Dickinson, Emily’s sister-in-law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Huntington_Gilbert_Dickinson

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/susan_dickinson

Bio of Edward Dickinson, Emily’s father

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Dickinson

Bio of Emily Norcross Dickinson, Emily’s mother

https://deathanddickinson.wordpress.com/biography/family/mother-emily-norcross-dickinson/

Thomas Gilbert (Gib) Dickinson (1875-1883), Emily’s nephew

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/gilbert_Dickinson

Mabel Loomis Todd (Noemie Schellens) can sing like scandalous opera house singer.

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6/5/2017 # A Quiet Passion

GOING IN STYLE

(L to R) Alan Arkin as Albert Garner, Morgan Freeman as Willie Davis and Michael Caine as Joe Harding, all discover that they are getting no more pension.

GOING IN STYLE

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Times have changed a lot since 1979, when the first version of “Going in Style” was released. Growing old is still just as boring, but now seniors have something to get angry about.

Instead of George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg, the new version has Michael Caine as Joe Harding, Alan Arkin as Albert Garner and Morgan Freeman as Willie Davis, as three friends, who all worked for the same company, which is now defaulting on their pensions.

Even Ann-Margaret, who used to be in Elvis films, is in this film, as Alan Arkin’s love interest.

The plight of getting old with limited resources seems to be timeless.

These friends, however, are upset because, after putting in many years of work, their company was just sold to a foreign interest, which will no longer honor their work pensions.

Michael Caine, who is housing his single-mom daughter and granddaughter, will default on his mortgage, Morgan Freeman discovers that he needs a kidney transplant, and the Alan Arkin character will not have any money to pay the rent.

What stays in my mind is the image of these three friends dishing up watered-down spaghetti sauce on very unappetizing spaghetti at the senior center together.

More than anything else, this says “nobody cares about you, and there is nothing that you can do about it.”

As a last ditch effort, with nothing to lose, they decide to rob the very bank that was restructuring their pension deal.

We do not have to think too far back to remember the 2009 housing collapse, the current rent gouging by landlords, or the recent fake bank account schemes.

“Going in Style” 2017 is recommended for anyone who is old, who still has a grandparent, or who is headed toward old age. Basically, this film is for everyone.

Ann-Margaret as Annie Santori, still has the sizzle.

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5/9/2017 # Going In Style

THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE

The real Zookeeper’s Wife, Antonina Zabinski (top), cuddles two large cats. Actress Jessica Chastain (bottom) imitates Zabinski’s love for animals in the movie.

THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

“The Zookeeper’s wife” illustrates the devastating effect of the Nazi occupation as it happened in Warsaw, Poland.

For me, the main question that comes front and center is what can humans do to overcome indifference to the suffering and discrimination of other humans?

A true story, the Warsaw zookeeper and his wife chose to hide victims at their zoo, until they could escape to safety.

So, why do some people choose to risk their own lives to help others?

I was surprised to learn that the zookeeper, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh), was an atheist, taking after his father.

His wife, Antonina (Jessica Chastain), was raised a Catholic, with a strong interest in the arts. She was a Russian-born Pole who lost her parents in the early days of the Russian Revolution at the hands of the Bolsheviks.

The couple hung out with artists and intellectuals. They were not given to a “follow the crowd” mentality.

Jan liked to analyze each situation and Antonina felt that life was precious.

They felt that the Jews did not deserve the persecution and felt that the treatment of the Jews was horrific.

When a few people came to them for help, they were unable to turn their backs on them. What started out with helping a few people, turned into helping about 300 Jews during the Nazi occupation of Warsaw, Poland.

The conclusion that I have come to in this true story, is to be non-judgmental of atheists and Catholics, because, they just might save your life.

History vs Hollywood:

http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/zookeepers-wife/

Documenting Numbers of Victims of the Holocaust and Nazi Persecution:

https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10008193

Children during the Holocaust:

https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005142

Warsaw Poland, WWII:

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/warsaw-poland

Warsaw Ghetto:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Ghetto

Warsaw Zoo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Zoo

What causes the psychological condition of “indifference?:

https://www.gratiaplenacounseling.org/the-psychology-of-indifference/

Indifference: The Absence of Empathy to Suffering and Discrimination:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/15/814637/-

Left: Antonina and Jan Zabinski in the years after World War II. Right: Johan Heldenbergh and Jessica Chastain portray the couple in the movie.

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5/2/2017 # The Zookeeper’s Wife

GIFTED

Teacher, Bonnie (Jenny Slate) asks Mary (Mckenna Grace) a few math questions.

GIFTED

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Child geniuses, like one-eyed cats, may have problems being accepted by the status quo. The film “Gifted” raises the question, what is the best way to raise a gifted child?

Seven-year-old Mary (Mckenna Grace) is being raised by her mother’s brother, Frank (Chris Evans), because her own mother (also a child prodigy) committed suicide when Mary was just six months old.

Her uncle, Frank, a former college philosophy professor, has chosen to take Mary off the grid to home school her himself.

As Mary grows older, he decides to place her in a public school, so that she can learn to navigate the world and have a normal childhood, with friends her own age.

On day one in school, Mary is like a whale trying to survive in a theme-park pool. She is doing calculus, while the other kids are trying to master 1 + 1.

When her teacher, Bonnie (Jenny Slate), tries to hook them up with a special school, Frank says, “No.”

He does not want Mary to end up like her ill-fated mother and he is trying to hide Mary from her grandmother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), who he fears will cripple and exploit her.

Special mention, Octavia Spencer as Roberta, (who appears in all the best films this year, Hidden Figures, The Shack) adds warmth to this film as Frank’s landlord, who walks all over his boundaries, while being the mother figure in Mary’s early life.

Having studied and worked in early childhood education settings, I have the personal opinion that all children from birth to 5 years are geniuses.

Their minds are soaking up information voraciously and they are all capable of learning whole languages by merely being exposed to them.

Having a high IQ does not mean that such children will grow up to be a success.

Such children need to be nurtured and supported. And, to be a success, they need to love what they are doing and to have the will to put in the hours to develop their talent.

What is not mentioned is the importance of religious exposure. Steve Jobs was exposed to Christianity by his adoptive parents, which he rejected. Later, in his life, he did take to Buddhism.

Ego appears to be a stumbling block for nearly all such children. When you are the smartest person in the room, humility does not come naturally.

Pablo Casals still practiced on his cello at age 80, telling others that he did it because, “I think I am getting better.”

Whether you are raising a child prodigy or any child, “Gifted” will give you a great deal to think about.

What Are Child Geniuses Like As Adults?http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1303853

9 Child prodigies who actually ended up doing something

http://mentalfloss.com/article/27906/9-child-prodigies-who-actually-ended-doing-something

How Do You Raise a Prodigy?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/magazine/how-do-you-raise-a-prodigy.html

Raising an Accidental Prodigy:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704559904576230570655238148

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4/23/2017 # Gifted

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as The Prince / Beast bond with a dance together.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Gay images are included in this children’s fairy tale to the credit of Disney Pictures. The film very clearly illustrates that love and respect can be developed in spite of physical appearance.

I think that the power of this film deals with all kinds of diversity. It reinforces that kindness and shared values are what matter, not physical appearance.

Being gay could be switched out with being Black, Chinese, Russian, disabled, homeless or any other non-dominant segment of society.

The beautiful Belle, played by Emma Watson, is raised by a loving, but aging father (Kevin Kline as Maurice). Ageism is another theme.

Belle’s brutish suitor, Gaston (Luke Evans), has no compassion for her father or respect for his age, just like the Prince is repulsed by the appearance of the old woman, who offers him a beautiful rose in return for shelter.

I looked at the animated version of this story, which is exactly the same, except, when the dresser fights off the townsman by dressing him like a woman, in this live version, the man is delighted, in the animated version, he is embarrassed.

This is probably not how gays want to be depicted or remembered by the masses. It is a poor stereotype at best.

I’m going to have to look at the animated version again, but I don’t think the Beast shows her what happened to her mother in Paris, either.

This film also drives home the point that women are not successfully wooed by fear.

This is a form of abuse, not love. In fact, any form of entrapment, does not allow free will in a love relationship. This is an important shift in male and female relationships.

Fortunately, there are many examples of this new paradigm. Belle’s love for the Beast, Maurice’s love for his wife and daughter, and vice versa.

I found the live version of “Beauty and the Beast” more touching and heart opening, if not as light-hearted.

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4/11/2017 # Beauty and the Beast

THE SALESMAN

Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) and her husband, Emad (Shahab Hosseini), are faced with moral choices.

THE SALESMAN

Film review by Marlene Ardoin

“The Salesman” is the Iranian film that won Best Foreign Picture at the Academy Awards this year (2017). It pays the U.S. a compliment by choosing to wrap this story around the theater production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.”

I was surprised that a play like “Death of a Salesman” would even be allowed in Iran. Apparently it is, with a few deletions of dialogue.

And, the husband, Emad, in this story (Shahab Hosseini), is not only a husband and actor, but a teacher. I was curious which books his school was forbidding him to use.

Emad makes a vivid point, when he tells the school messenger to just throw the rejected books in the garbage.

It is my understanding that Iran is a religion-based governmental country that sets up strict rules for a population that has a majority of young.

For example, one can be arrested for dancing provocatively in public. And a respectable woman should always cover her hair with a scarf.

What the film seems to be questioning is the ability of men and women to make their own moral judgments.

For example, a man is tempted to take advantage of a young woman. Would that woman be able to recover from the social shame and would she be able to show mercy to this man if he shows remorse?

Prostitution is brought into the question. Are prostitutes worthy of our social mercy? Apparently, this is no laughing matter. In their play, a single mom is playing this role, and the former tenant of their new apartment was a prostitute.

I think the main point being made is that each individual possesses moral strength and inner dignity.

Emad’s beautiful, young wife, Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti), shines with dignity, when she requests that her husband not take revenge. And, she takes it a step further, when she threatens to leave him, if he chooses to take revenge.

I found it interesting that Iranian students could be just as disrespectful of teachers in Iran, as they can be in the U.S.

In this film, we get a preview of all that this teacher goes through, and I think that it is safe to say, that this teacher does not deserve disrespect.

The visual images are universal. As the film opens, Emad and Rana are forced to evacuate their apartment, because it is collapsing. The foundation is unstable.

When they later return to get their things, they notice cracks in the wall above their bed. This is a foreboding sign that more bad things are about to happen to their dream of creating a family.

“The Salesman” seems to say that even the most wretched of us have personal dignity, and the most elevated in society are capable of perpetrating evil acts.

So where does a moral compass originate? Intelligence is not the answer, since it can only solve problems. The ability to feel things and to empathize with others is the origin of morality.

This film is masterful and thought provoking, but I think it could have used a few light-hearted moments.

Asghar Farhadi, Iranian film director and screenwriter of “The Salesman.”

Asghar Farhadi Biography:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asghar_Farhadi

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3/21/2017 # The Salesman