This film is sophisticated on many levels: the way it interpenetrates Foster's character's psyche, exploring her need to exact revenge after her fiancé is brutally murdered, its dissection of American isolationism and the dangers therein, and the paradox of living in a populated city where loneliness exists within every brutality as much as every happiness.
I admire the film for two reasons: one, the way it flips a seemingly straightforward revenge-drama into an articulate exploration of EXTREME pain, and INTENSE grief, and how it refuses to judge the main character, letting the story speak for itself and its viewers decide if what Foster does- and what she receives for what she does- is in fact justice or a cop-out.
Folks, movies aren't supposed to preach or take sides or even necessarily make statements. Sometimes ART needs to EXIST as art, as emotions exist as emotions. That is the beauty of catharsis. Indeed, Jodie Foster's beautiful performance will- hands down- earn her an Oscar nod come January.
I admire the film for two reasons: one, the way it flips a seemingly straightforward revenge-drama into an articulate exploration of EXTREME pain, and INTENSE grief, and how it refuses to judge the main character, letting the story speak for itself and its viewers decide if what Foster does- and what she receives for what she does- is in fact justice or a cop-out.
Folks, movies aren't supposed to preach or take sides or even necessarily make statements. Sometimes ART needs to EXIST as art, as emotions exist as emotions. That is the beauty of catharsis. Indeed, Jodie Foster's beautiful performance will- hands down- earn her an Oscar nod come January.