We have only watched the first 15 or 16 minutes of the Dark City but because of the oddity and confusion of the film so far, I figure I should try to use my notes to make some sense out of the film so far, if possible.
The first image I noticed, besides the opening, which showed the sky and stars, was the flashing Neon sign (and there are many of these) which said "Now showing: The Evil" I assume this has some meaning as to the ideas of the film but I can't decide exactly what it is yet.
Secondly, I noticed the prevalence of water throughout the film so far, as it opens with the main character, John Murdoch, in a bathtub and then the fish tank crashes on the floor, as well as the rain-slickened streets of the film noir styling. What is the significance of this?
Also, the fact that the clock stayed at 12 o'clock for a long time, while the creatures began their experiments, but you wonder exactly what happened during that time and what the actual time lapse was, since Murdoch seems to be jumping in times from the 30's or 40's and then to the Automat (another flashing Neon sign) to the 50's. So what is the deal with all of the different time periods and time jumps. (Slaughterhouse Five-esque?)
Also, I know that the resurrection of characters is always done in 3 days as per Jesus' death and resurrection, but in this film it opens with a 3 week lapse when he wakes up from his slumber so is a far-reaching allusion. Also, a meaningful line of dialogue by the detective I believe (or one of the characters) "I'm being punished for my sins." This is clearly an allusion to some sort of religious being in a world that appears to be sunless, godless, and obviously completely chaotic so far.
Finally, and most significant, what is the meaning behind the mazes, enigmas, or labyrinths, that are shown numerously throughout the film. We first see it upon the naked women who is lying dead in Murdoch's hotel room, and then again these spirals or mazes are shown in the opening credits. Thirdly, when we see the interaction between Mrs. Murdoch and the psychiatrist, the psychiatrist is placing the rats and mice into a labyrinth or spiral shaped maze. In the past, these spirals are used for mind control or hypnotism of the past but I wonder what the significance is in this film.
Just the thoughts so far and many of these things may be irrevelant in the scope of this film becuase it is so confusing and purposefully tricky that all of the images so far may not have anything to do with the plot of the film. The rest of the film should be very interesting.
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You have eyes, Professor. Ingen gets by you, old friend, though were I casting the Seventh Seal from among our class, I think Florentino would be Death. You would be the monk who gives the speech during the Flagellant's procession. Naturally, Yuriy would be the guy who you point to with a sneer, saying, "you with the stare of a goat, how long will you continue to pollute the earth."
ReplyDeleteAnyway, unlike so many films of this type, everything comes together pretty well because it's not really all that complicated.
God bless you for trying this hard and this early to piece this film together. Something tells me we still have a way to go before stuff starts making sense. I love a good mystery, don't you?
ReplyDeleteAfter watching today we water having some significance. When the stranger talks to Dr. Schreber in the pool, he mentions how he didn't want to have to see him there because he doesn't like the moisture. Water may yet be the downfall of the strangers.
ReplyDeleteAs for the casting of The Seventh Seal, I am flattered to be chosen for such an important and symbolic character, but why me Mr. Bennett? It's because of my extraordinary acting ability, isn't it. I also completely agree with who you cast Yuriy as.
But Steve can water really be the downfall of the bad aliens in Signs and Dark City -- a little cliched but who knows, you could be right. I must respect you in an attempt to escape you, even though I know it is impossible.
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