Now, we are about an hour into Runaway Train and it has been a very interesting, insightful, and enjoyable movie. Both Manny and Buck are incredibly engrossing and complex characters. So far, I have several thoughts running through my mind about the different ideas in this movie, but two stand out to me, so I figure I will write just about that now, and concentrate on the other ones as they develop throughout the movie.
The enduring images and dialogue, for me, so far, revolved around Buck and an idea he continued to return to. After the escape from prison, Buck complains over and over again about not having shoes. Throughout their journey, he keeps saying "Shoes, shoes, I need shoes," and other very similar lines. However, the last thing that Buck does in prison when he is helping Manny escape, is give brand new shoes to the prison guard. Now obviously, these were not winter boots or anything, (they might have been Converses), but it was just interesting that the last thing that he gave away before his journey, was the thing he yearned for the most when he was gone.
The second thought was about Buck, himself. Buck is so excited about getting out and wants to follow Manny out. But it seems that Buck is naive or ignorant, probably both, and has both a romanticized view of what he will be able to do when he gets out. He doesn't understand the difficulty of a convict's life after they escape. When Manny humbles him and tells him that he will have to "take a dishwasher's job" and that that job will "be gold" and that he better "clean that spot," Buck responds that "he would rather be in prison". When they were escaping, Buck didn't seem cut out for escaping and was very careless by leaving his prison uniform in the stationhouse. It seems that although he was so eager to escape, Buck will actually be better suited to the confined world of the prison, as he seemed happier and more comfortable there. The image of his uniform laying on the ground and the fact that it was found, signals (possibly) that we have not seen the last of him as a prisoner and he will actually end up being recaptured or go back to jail for another crime.
I just felt that those were a few ideas that I felt were foreshadowed throughout the movie so far. It should be very interesting to see how this movie progresses and culminates over the coming days. I look forward to seeing it.
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I agree with you on all of your thoughts. Buck and Manny are one of the most interesting screen duos I have ever seen. Both Voigt and Roberts are doing a fantastic job. I'm actually surprised to feel that I like Roberts more than I do Voigt in this film. Sure he is a bit of an annoyance, and if anything his character is just hindering Manny's progress, but he gives a great show.
ReplyDeleteI think your guess that Roberts will end up back in prison one way or another is correct, although I can't be certain.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of this film too.
Very insightful comments! I'm thinking I should go out and rent the movie because watching it in parts all the way in the back of the room makes me afraid I'm missing things. What you wrote about the shoes,, for example, escaped me completely when I was watching the movie.
ReplyDeleteI also think Buck will end up being recaptured and back in prison by the end of the movie.If not, his hopeless idealism about the outside world is going to leave him very disillusioned.
Do you know that I've watched this film 50 times and I just thought about the shoe connection today for the first time, and now you mention it in your blog! Very nice observation. However, (and there's no way you can know this yet) I don't think there is really anything significant in that, or in his leaving the uniform behind. I agree with Shiran. I just realized that tomorrow is Friday and we won't finish it. Ridiculous to wait until Monday to finish the film. Perhaps I'll show it after school tomorrow for those who want to watch and have the time.
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