Director Tony Scott died yesterday. A few days ago I'd ordered a DVD of one of his films, 'Man On Fire' and it arrived this morning and I just finished watching it and the accompanying documentary. What I'd previously assumed was relentlessly spectacular editing turns was partly done in camera, with hand cranked cameras that were operated at varying speeds and sometimes wound back and double exposed. The resulting jerkiness is very effective.
It's a lush, beautifully staged and shot film with a split narrative, the first part character led and centred around a redemptive relationship (like an art house film) which U-turns into an almost mainstream violent revenge movie. It's familiar but strange, and a remarkable achievement.
It's a lush, beautifully staged and shot film with a split narrative, the first part character led and centred around a redemptive relationship (like an art house film) which U-turns into an almost mainstream violent revenge movie. It's familiar but strange, and a remarkable achievement.