Cinematic Details

[vardathemessage]

The script doesn't mention the close-up of Brian between the shots of Curt going to the airport. Despite the bizarreness of that fact that his hair, eyes and jacket are all the same shade of blue, we aren't amused or admiring here, instead we feel his stunned recognition of the finality of his relationship with Curt – few actors have conveyed so much with a blank stare into space. A brief memory of them through a white curtain links the shots of Brian in his office and Curt in the limo, as if they both are thinking of what they've lost. In print, it seems too obvious, but the lyrics that underscore this scene work so well because of the mood of the music and the gravity in Thom York's voice, Well, this is such a sad affair/ I've opened up my heart/ so many times/ But now it's closed.

Comments

Who is bitter,who is sweet?

[velvetspur.livejournal.com]

Well, this is such a sad affair/ I've opened up my heart/ so many times/ But now it's closed.

Ah, but to whom can we attribute this little statement (presuming we take the line literally as part of the story narrative - Todd did this so seamlessly it's not at all tacky)?

If it pertains to Brian it's another example of Brian's main blind spot, which is his narcissistic assumption that the noblese oblige he practices with everyone in his orbit is interpreted as love. Because of course Brian has not "opened up my heart so many times" to anyone, and yet of course he believes he has. I think Curt really did get under his shell, but of course that's why Brian had to break it off.

If the song lyric pertains to Curt, well that's easy, since we can believe he has an open heart.

Re: Who is bitter,who is sweet?

[vardathemessage.livejournal.com]

the noblese oblige he practices with everyone in his orbit is interpreted as love

Such a good point and fab way to put it.