MovieChat Forums > Sublime (2007) Discussion > I really think people just didn't unders...

I really think people just didn't understand this film. SPOILERS

posted 17 years ago by alkemyst-1
8 replies | jump to latest

I really think many missed what this film was about, as well as those that are defending them. It's a cerebral film as well as one without a happy ending. These are two things many people do not like at least here in america. Watching a lot of foreign films shows that much of the time you don't get the prince and princess riding off into the sunset.

So many think it's going to be a horror film in the sense of things jumping out at you and startling you...this movie is a subtle one. The horror is in thinking 'What if...'.

Also many people think all the events were 'real' or worst really miss the boat and think it's all just random. What had happened up until the point George goes into surgery was all 100% real time. His family had alluded to the fact that George always lived his life 'safe', never taking chances and had a lot of phobias.

Prior to his surgery he had an interaction with each of the other characters that would later manifest itself once George ends up in a vegetative state due to complications having a colonoscopy (perforated bowel).

During his 'time' in this state the fears he had on his birthday (unneeded medical procedures, medical exorcism, the 'white' man vs 'black' man, racism in general (giving his doubletake of the foreign doctor), not taking chances with life, his wife's fidelity, wondering if his daughter was into girls rather than guys, his friends lives, hospitals/attorney's really wanting to prolong their clients misery for profit, etc), manifest themselves into what he thinks is the real world.

George really believes he is trapped in a hospital where malpractice runs rampant. He believes his wife has already moved on with his doctor (and perhaps is behind his problems) and when he finally can reach out to his attorney, the guy wants to delay things and keep him there. His reassurance is it's already worth millions.

Other fears/desires come to play as well...he finds out his daughter is a lesbian (or at least bi), his son becomes an 'evil doctor', he has an affair, he journeys into uncharted territories/doesn't play by the rules.

I thought it was a good movie. The movie was never released to be a blockbuster, but the actors do a decent job given the constraints they were all probably working with.

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[–] mudsplitter 17 years ago

I completely agree with everything you said.
Although I felt the movie was a little slow and drawn out at times I was satisfied with it in the end.
Despite the lack of gore and in your face scare tactics this movie proved to be one of the most horrifying films I've seen in a while.
I feel as though the movie was marketed extremely poorly as I thought it was going to be a Saw type movie, but it was more of a psychological thriller than a horror movie, because of that I imagine this is sadly destined to be a cult classic and not much more.
I wish more movies would take a similar direction and break the mold a little bit more. Hopefully people confused about the movie will read this and gain a better appreciation/understanding of this film.

[–] alkemyst-1 17 years ago

Sadly (again unlike many foreign films) american films seem to explain everything too much and then re-explain it throughout losing valuable screentime for actual character/plot development.

All the great complex movies (a la Usual Suspects type) have people either saying they predicted everything or simply had no freaking idea what the movie was about therefore it must suck. ;)

I won't say Sublime will ever be in any top list of movies I have, or even worth buying after renting it...but it's definitely a unique story and good one at that. I think the movie would have been a lot better for me with less flashbacks and more development.

[–] Memories-Of-Murder 17 years ago

A new interesting take on the Jacob's Ladder type premise, which i have no problem with, to tell ya the truth. It certainly gets A for effort and ambition.

And Katherine Cunningham-Eves is gorgeaus beyond belief. And pretty good actress too! What's not to like about her?

"This are Nice shoes! Couldn't you afford some real Nike?"

[–] czarnykot_1984 17 years ago

I do not know for sure what was intended message from the director. But if I understood it as i supposed to than I must say that its little below average and very dissapointing.

[–] wmtr 17 years ago

Except for the great ending, everything else in the movie goes in an irritating way. Nothing new here is worth a try. I have no idea what this movie is made for and I was disappointed.

[–] sleepwalker123 17 years ago

I don't think I understand it 100%, but I think it's an okay B-movie.

[–] arty2-1 17 years ago

Ahhh

that clarifies a couple things, I didnt really make the realization about everything being a manifestation w.r.t his fears, but alot of it was distinctly unreal, and became clearly so when he was in that joint coma state at the end.

[–] Imdb11168 10 years ago

Prior to his surgery he had an interaction with each of the other characters that would later manifest itself once George ends up in a vegetative state due to complications having a colonoscopy (perforated bowel).

During his 'time' in this state the fears he had on his birthday (unneeded medical procedures, medical exorcism, the 'white' man vs 'black' man, racism in general (giving his doubletake of the foreign doctor), not taking chances with life, his wife's fidelity, wondering if his daughter was into girls rather than guys, his friends lives, hospitals/attorney's really wanting to prolong their clients misery for profit, etc), manifest themselves into what he thinks is the real world.

and somebody else said this

the tear that fell from his eyes, I believe was from his realization in the dream that he was in a coma; and that he had two possible outcomes: jump and wake up, or jump and die.

Is this the movie, anything else you would like to add ?

Darkness lies an inch ahead[quote]