Light/Breezes

Light/Breezes
SUNRISE AT DEATH VALLEY-Photo by Tom Cochrun

Monday, May 12, 2014

ABOUT FORGIVING and ANOTHER CLIMATE

THE RAILWAY MAN
     I'm curious why this is a summer release film, so far from the Academy Awards season, because it is award worthy in a number of ways.
     Colin Firth is brilliant as a post war Eric Lomax in the story based on Lomax's book. Jeremy Irvine is equally  brilliant as a young Lomax in a Japanese prisoner of war forced labor camp. Then too Hiroyouki Sanada and Tanroh Ishida are both excellent as the elder and younger version of the Japanese interpreter Nagase who was instrumental in the horrid torture and abuse of Lomax. Nicole Kidman's supporting performance as Firth's wife is also award worthy.
     Perhaps it is the "politically incorrect" nature of the film's background-the brutality and barbaric nature of the Japanese camp. But this true story is historic. It demonstrates the enormous endurance of the POW's and the spirit that kept them alive. More importantly it is the powerful story of learning to forgive. Firth, one of the finest actors of the age, plumbs the depth of the human soul and experience to deliver a portrayal that is deservedly something you will have trouble putting out of your mind.  Nor should you.  Irvine's ability to display strength of spirit amidst the incredible torture will also stay with you. 
    Perhaps too it is the graphic water boarding that some might find to be too politically charged.  But despite those reasons, the film is inspiring, powered by love and is indeed a timeless exposition on forgiving. Very strong all around. Director Jonathan Teplitzky is to be commended.
A BOTANICAL CLIMATE


















  Scenes from the Naples Botanical Garden.

  See you down the trail.

3 comments:

  1. That movie sounds intriguing. It reminds me of a book I read a while back, "Unbroken." Take care and have a terrific week.

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  2. We've been seeing a bit of Colin Firth lately. He's a fine actor. Beautiful pictures of the botanical garden.

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  3. Bob & I really liked this movie! It touched home with me since my father and grandparents were civilian internees for 3 years in the Japanese internment camp, Santo Tomas in Manila, PI. I have been reading and going though pictures from that time. The fear of the Kempeitai comes up in my grandfathers’ diary and also in many other internee diaries. The camp internee leaders did everything they could to avoid having the Kempeitai come into the camp and deal with any of the prisoners. There were internee’s taken to Ft. Santiago and “interrogated” then returned to Santo Tomas “in bad shape” and cared for in the camp hospital. The fear of the Kempeitai was high in the internment camp and many saw the results of their actions on other internees. My dad talked about friends interned that were never able to forgive the Japanese for the horrors they experienced and how others were able to find a place of forgiveness. Good to see this movie/story with the move to forgiveness for both men. Aletta Weber

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