I think a critical scene in the movie is when the band Stillwater gets caught in an electrical storm while on their flight. It is here where the movie changes its course from the carefree and rootlessness lifestyle that rock music has brought to the band while on tour, to the harsh reality of whats beneath the superficial lifestyle of the bandmembers. While spirling down towards presumably death, the band members come out and reveal what's been going on behind the scenes. Russell learns that Jeff has for quite a long time now been having a deep and passionate affair with his girlfriend. These dark secretes have been hidden by the energy and popularity the rock n roll lifestyle has given them while on tour. William meanwhile gets to attest to the harsh reality of the rock n roll lifestyle. I think the road is a means for both a reality to the members of Stillwater and also to William, as he had been sheltered his whole life by his protective mother. While being on tour with the band, William gets to look past the "image" of rock n roll and realizes that being a fan and having passion for music is just as important as the fame and celebrity aspect of it.
We clearly see that throughout the movie William the enemy is pure and innocent. What effect does this carry over to the mad lifestyle on tour that the members of Stillwater live?
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I agree with what Greg is saying here. This was a significant turning point for all who were on the plane and really marked the beginning of the already foreboded disintegration of the band. They finally lost their cool. I thought an equally important scene in this movie was when Lester Bangs was talking with William when William had to finish his article. He told William that "the only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you are uncool." He tells him that to be "honest and unmerciful" in his article. I believe that this sentiment actually transcends the article and describes some of the best things that happen in this movie. William is able to make friends with Russell, the only band member who seems to be able to take off his cool facade and act like a normal human being. William is able to share his feelings towards Penny Lane with her and they grow very close. His article for The Rolling Stone is greatly accepted. These are just a few of the things that happened when William stopped being influenced by the band's cool persona and was just who he was. The plane incident was a real turning point for the band members but it seemed that William was "real" all along.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this cool persona still exists in rock bands today or do you think that the artists are more revealing of their personal beliefs?
I agree with Greg and "sranney". I just want to add that it seems this entire movie is a testament about truth. No matter how much we try to ignore it, avoid it, or even battle with it in the end we ultimately want relationships that are true/"real". We want our life to be "real" and the only way to feel alive is to confront the things we hide.
ReplyDeleteWhen that plane was coming down, all characters spilled everything they've been covering up. Seems to me Crowe, the director, is arguing that the only way to live/be free is to face everything we cover up. At the end of the film, Russell faced the fact that William was right in everything that he wrote.
I'll argue that the band members aren't as cool as they think they are. In fact, I feel rest of the gang is as "uncool" as he is. This made me think of this whenever Russell told William being in a band makes him feel cool, and when that plane started coming down everything went out the window. Not so cool huh?
Their lives turned around for the better after their near death experience. I guess the "road" makes it easier for us to be things we always wanted to be, to say things we always wanted to say, and to feel things we always wanted to feel.
What's so enticing about this road, and why do we need it to feel like we're actually living our lives? Plus another question, what is cool, and who determines who is and who isn't?
Just as Greg said, I think this scene is a turning point in the movie. It seems like the perfect opportunity for everyone to pour out their hearts to each other, but is it only because they are about to die? It all starts positive with the "I love you guys", but within 30 seconds jeff is screaming at russell "I don't love you man, I never did!". This scene is different because it takes such a quick turn to negative. It is clear that they all have negative emotions towards each other that have been bottled up for a while. None of them think they are going to survive and that is obvious at the end of the scene when one of the band members screams "fuck it I'm gay!". Right after he says it, the plane levels out and the look of embarrassment on his face is pure comedy. All of their bottled up emotions spew out at this particular moment in the movie because they feel like this is the end of the road.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about thinking you are going to die that gives you the courage to say things you would never say?