Monday Movie - Pan's Labyrinth

Okay, I know I haven't done any of these for a while. It doesn't mean I'm not watching movies, it just means I'm lazy. But this movie begs to be spoken about and it IS Monday, so here we go.

This should not be confused with a review. I'm not a critic and I'm not fond of reviews, so I wouldn’t write one even if I could. This is the informal reaction of a movie lover, offered in the manner of Jackson Pollack throwing paint at a canvas — all emotional and messy. (Anybody who feels cheated by not getting a plot summary and all that review-y stuff should stop reading now, because this will surely frustrate them.) I won’t be giving a single story detail. You’ll be able to get that kind of thing in plenty of other places, if that’s what you want…but I, for one, urge everybody to avoid reviews and see the film knowing as little about it in advance as possible, as I was lucky enough to do.

Pan's Labyrinth is an amazing and beautiful film. It is visually spectacular and the story itself is just incredible. Even if you are not fond of subtitled movies, this one is worth suffering through, because it is just THAT good (I'm talking to you, J!). Stephen King called it a "R-rated fairy tale," which I think is the perfect description of this masterpiece. It's dark and it's gruesome in parts, but it is also deeply moving and personal.

One thing I'd like to comment on is the setting of this film. It is set in 1940's Spain, during the country's civil war. Now, I'm no history buff and to be honest with you, I would not have even known about a 1944 Spain had I not taken a trip to Barcelona and seen Castell de Montjuic, which was a Franco stronghold/castle thing. To me, it was just something that looked interesting in a travel book, an old fort with an amazing view of the ocean. But I soon realized, as several taxi drivers angrily told us they wouldn't take us up there, that this "history" is still fresh and just how evil this Franco regime actually was (LOTS of people were executed there and it still stands as a symbol of right-wing oppression). It was a startling realization that I won't soon forget. And in this film, one of Franco's henchmen, Captain Vital is just as ruthless and cruel as I would image Franco being (hence the r-rating). The film made me remember just how "Ugly American" I can be. I vow to do some reading on Spanish history!

Even if you don't know much about 1940 Spain, though, you will completely understand the tragic oppression and stark difference between the magical world of the Labyrinth and the frightening world outside of it. This movie is one I will OWN!!!