While I want to like Seven Beauties, the anti-hero is just a sad scumbag. Perhaps this is a reflection of societal changes. Back in1975 what occurs in this film may have been acceptable perhaps even humorous in places? The main character is not charming or clever, just another lowlife.
2024 such behavior only serves to remove any sympathy from the main character. That there's some small redemption at the end, well it comes at the expense of amorality and a hollow sense that ultimately this guy is a self serving you know what.
As for the film making, this is a very well made classic. Has all the elements of historical, moral, timeless essentials. The journey is engaging although repulsive at times. The context of war and what measures humans may lower themselves to survive proves interesting; however it is his voluntary acts that occur outside the context of war that disgust. Perhaps some plot points can seem a bit too drawn out for today's impatient fast-cut driven audience; however, that is a stylistic period point and only helps to serve the context of the film. The DP is superb as well.
Now back to the plot... You might think that with kinky overtones of bondage and a dominatrix Seven Beauties might suffice on those alone. But sadly no. Because the context could not be more wrong.
Here we have a man convicted of cutting-up his murder victim (Strike One) sent to the CooCoo's Nest where he literally rapes a woman (Strike Two) tied to the bed obstinately for her own good. She clearly refuses and yet he still goes ahead.
Later he befriends a Nazi dominatrix in pursuit of his release from the camp only to find himself in a sort of a Prison's Dilemma. Sadly he carries out the demands of his captors (Strike Three). Almost at the bottom of his moral decay. BTW Fernando Rey is quite good in this thread of the story.
10 stars for great film making.
0 stars for the sad excuse of human behavior.
Now to go read the reviews of back in the day to see where I landed on my thinking. Was this lauded for entertainment and message back then?
I certainly hope not but 4 Academy nominations will likely prove me wrong.
And yes it may have one of the most difficult to listen to Outro songs ever.
2024 such behavior only serves to remove any sympathy from the main character. That there's some small redemption at the end, well it comes at the expense of amorality and a hollow sense that ultimately this guy is a self serving you know what.
As for the film making, this is a very well made classic. Has all the elements of historical, moral, timeless essentials. The journey is engaging although repulsive at times. The context of war and what measures humans may lower themselves to survive proves interesting; however it is his voluntary acts that occur outside the context of war that disgust. Perhaps some plot points can seem a bit too drawn out for today's impatient fast-cut driven audience; however, that is a stylistic period point and only helps to serve the context of the film. The DP is superb as well.
Now back to the plot... You might think that with kinky overtones of bondage and a dominatrix Seven Beauties might suffice on those alone. But sadly no. Because the context could not be more wrong.
Here we have a man convicted of cutting-up his murder victim (Strike One) sent to the CooCoo's Nest where he literally rapes a woman (Strike Two) tied to the bed obstinately for her own good. She clearly refuses and yet he still goes ahead.
Later he befriends a Nazi dominatrix in pursuit of his release from the camp only to find himself in a sort of a Prison's Dilemma. Sadly he carries out the demands of his captors (Strike Three). Almost at the bottom of his moral decay. BTW Fernando Rey is quite good in this thread of the story.
10 stars for great film making.
0 stars for the sad excuse of human behavior.
Now to go read the reviews of back in the day to see where I landed on my thinking. Was this lauded for entertainment and message back then?
I certainly hope not but 4 Academy nominations will likely prove me wrong.
And yes it may have one of the most difficult to listen to Outro songs ever.