About The Guy You Can't See
Post 824:
So… I got a chance to sit down and watch the newest incarnation of the Invisible Man last night. I’d heard good opinions but had managed to stay away from the plot or themes so it was a fresh experience entering in.
Spoilers.
Let me say that the idea of invisibility in storytelling is incredibly rich. There have been many takes on this plot device, starting with H.G. Wells but really it goes all the way back into mythology and folk tales.
The movie is engaging. The shots and sets are constructed so you are looking for this invisible prick right alongside the protagonist. Moss, who plays the abused woman, is super good. I don’t know if the movie is trying to make a universal statement about men’s terrible treatment of women, but it is certainly making one about this a-hole’s treatment of her. It’s believable, and of course, it brings to light and amplifies the fear and hopelessness many people probably feel when they are trapped in dangerous relationships.
So it’s touching on some heavy ground. That said, it’s a story about a frigging invisible guy. Well, it’s about her struggle for freedom from the yoke of a sick bastard, but there’s an invisible guy in it. It could’ve so easily gotten corny because of the premise, but it doesn’t delve too deeply into the technical means in which he carries out his nefarious scheme.
Movies are great in that you see them and they’re over. That said, I have a hard time watching them if the opening ten or fifteen minutes isn’t engaging.
This knocks it out of the park. The first sequence is basically wordless, methodical, and tense as hell. I was scared. I identified with her plight without having to be told to identify. That’s good storytelling.
It was a tiny bit predictable at times and I questioned the motives of the antagonist once or twice, but that’s okay. People get obsessed, I suppose, and the whole point is that it goes beyond logic. Love can turn inward and then possessive. The next thing you know, you’re feeling invisible and you need to clutch on someone. Next thing after that, you’re building weird invisibility suits. I know from experience.
Not about the obsessing part. I’m just interested in suits with sophisticated optical tech. We all have our hobbies.
Check out the movie. Good thrills, good times. Like a movie. Yay!
Cheers and see you after.
