loredenizen
Joined May 2004
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Reviews5
loredenizen's rating
This is an extraordinary film. But it's not for everyone, and it must be viewed in it's context.
There was a time when Anthony Newley was one of the biggest stars in the world. With two hit Broadway musicals and a slew of movies under his belt, and songs STILL being covered by today's artists ("Feeling Good" is currently enjoying a popular resurgence courtesy of Michael Buble'"), Universal Studios gave him carte blanche to make any movie he wanted. Newley had already established a proved track record of using his own life as source material. Making this kind of film was a logical next step for him.
In many respects, this film is a masterpiece. It is utterly unique; visually beautiful, it looks like a lucid dream. Newley was a master of symbolism, and the way he illustrates different levels of reality and different states of consciousness is nothing short of brilliant. Highly "Jungian", this film is meant be viewed and interpreted like a dream. Many reviewers have lambasted "Heironumus" for it's use of symbolism, but on the contrary, that is the beauty and magic of the film. Anyone familiar with the Western Hermetic Tradition will delight in the eloquence with which this movie speaks. It cannot be an accident that "Heironymus" was filmed in Malta, the home of the Knights Templar. It makes one question how deeply into the occult Newley must have been.
PLOT SUMMARY: Heironymus Merkin, a major star, is making a film about his own life, told as a fairy tale/epic myth. He is screening it for his mother and two toddler children. It is his intent that his children know the truth about who their father is, warts and all. The film-within-the-film is still in production, and Heironymus battles with the studio, writers, and critics for the integrity of his personal truth.
The film is:
about mid-life crisis
an exposition of internalized toxic shame
an examination of the repetition compulsion
A confession
a cry for help
a treatise on the unreality of life
a rare look at celebrity-hood from a celebrity's point of view
a self-portrait of a sex-addict
a dissertation on erotic mania
AND it's a musical-comedy.
The movie is many things, confusing, because Newley was himself confused. Then again, aren't we all to some degree? The greatest thing about "Heironymus" is all the questions it brings up. It inspires deep process, and that is what makes it Art, and a true gift to the world.
I am committed to helping this film finding it's audience.
There was a time when Anthony Newley was one of the biggest stars in the world. With two hit Broadway musicals and a slew of movies under his belt, and songs STILL being covered by today's artists ("Feeling Good" is currently enjoying a popular resurgence courtesy of Michael Buble'"), Universal Studios gave him carte blanche to make any movie he wanted. Newley had already established a proved track record of using his own life as source material. Making this kind of film was a logical next step for him.
In many respects, this film is a masterpiece. It is utterly unique; visually beautiful, it looks like a lucid dream. Newley was a master of symbolism, and the way he illustrates different levels of reality and different states of consciousness is nothing short of brilliant. Highly "Jungian", this film is meant be viewed and interpreted like a dream. Many reviewers have lambasted "Heironumus" for it's use of symbolism, but on the contrary, that is the beauty and magic of the film. Anyone familiar with the Western Hermetic Tradition will delight in the eloquence with which this movie speaks. It cannot be an accident that "Heironymus" was filmed in Malta, the home of the Knights Templar. It makes one question how deeply into the occult Newley must have been.
PLOT SUMMARY: Heironymus Merkin, a major star, is making a film about his own life, told as a fairy tale/epic myth. He is screening it for his mother and two toddler children. It is his intent that his children know the truth about who their father is, warts and all. The film-within-the-film is still in production, and Heironymus battles with the studio, writers, and critics for the integrity of his personal truth.
The film is:
about mid-life crisis
an exposition of internalized toxic shame
an examination of the repetition compulsion
A confession
a cry for help
a treatise on the unreality of life
a rare look at celebrity-hood from a celebrity's point of view
a self-portrait of a sex-addict
a dissertation on erotic mania
AND it's a musical-comedy.
The movie is many things, confusing, because Newley was himself confused. Then again, aren't we all to some degree? The greatest thing about "Heironymus" is all the questions it brings up. It inspires deep process, and that is what makes it Art, and a true gift to the world.
I am committed to helping this film finding it's audience.
"Ulee's Gold" is an allegorical film about Alchemy, which is itself a metaphor for a process of spiritual development. The medieval alchemists famously attempted to turn lead into gold. As they consciously went through the various steps and stages of refining the metal, they would (theoretically) grow spiritually as their inner development mirrored their outer work. The "Gold" in the title refers to the honey Ulee manufactures, as well as symbolizing his family, himself, and the highest potential of all of the above.
This film succeeds on all levels. Unlike most metaphorical or allegorical films, the narrative is matter-of-fact and grounded in reality. Here archetypal themes are spelled out in a modern context that requires no suspension of disbelief. The alchemical motif is repeated throughout, illustrating the different stages of the process. Ulee and his family heal by working together in the alchemical process of honey production.In a larger context, the entire tale, from Ulee's archetypal descent into to the underworld all the way to the love flowing amidst his restored family, is itself an alchemical working. The viewer gets to experience what the process is like - the challenge, growth, healing, and love, just by watching the film. "Ulee's Gold" leaves you feeling good. It's a simple film, not unlike an "ABC Afterschool Special", but superbly crafted and highly satisfying.
This film succeeds on all levels. Unlike most metaphorical or allegorical films, the narrative is matter-of-fact and grounded in reality. Here archetypal themes are spelled out in a modern context that requires no suspension of disbelief. The alchemical motif is repeated throughout, illustrating the different stages of the process. Ulee and his family heal by working together in the alchemical process of honey production.In a larger context, the entire tale, from Ulee's archetypal descent into to the underworld all the way to the love flowing amidst his restored family, is itself an alchemical working. The viewer gets to experience what the process is like - the challenge, growth, healing, and love, just by watching the film. "Ulee's Gold" leaves you feeling good. It's a simple film, not unlike an "ABC Afterschool Special", but superbly crafted and highly satisfying.