MovieChat Forums > A torinói ló (2011) Discussion > Never had this happen before

Never had this happen before

posted 9 years ago by jonhopper217
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I'm not kidding. I'll start by saying that this is the most honest movie ever made. It's beautifully shot, with haunting music that completely unnerves you. I was blown away by the depressing message and even more so by the stunning imagery, which thankfully wasn't always metaphoric, simply meant to show the monotony of life. I realized that this movie, for me, was viewed at the very best time I could have watched and that was a blessing. As I started to tell a friend of it, I recalled he'd recently used the word depressed and spoke of "a friend's attempt." I deleted the e-mail and won't suggest this movie for a long time. It's the only film I've ever watched, that I feel needs a warning label. The complete loss of hope is something that has torn at me for three days, since viewing. I can't shake this film and I'm in love with it, because it confirms so much of what I fear about life. I'm no expert on Nietzsche, but I know enough to understand the inner workings of Tarr's vision. This movie isn't for everyone and I'd dare say, on the wrong day, it isn't for anyone. The patience it takes to see life before your eyes, not in a flash, but in the way it truly plays out, is masterful. I know some will find this boring, but I found myself going back and watching scenes over. The entire experience took me over 3 hours. Not necessarily the chosen way to view a film, but it moved me that much.

On a lighter note, I will never eat a potato again, without thoughts of this movie.

[–] Filler_Killer 9 years ago

I really like what one user said about this movie, when faced with a negative outspurt from another person, that complained about the monotony: "Perhaps art, imitates life?".

The long takes, the silence, the wind, the stark photography... it all contributes to create a realistic atmosphere when it comes to portray the daily habits of the characters. This is not a rollercoaster ride, it's not meant to be. If one takes it as it is, as a representation of life, its monotony and eventless (does that word exist?) passing, one can cherish the realism of it all. There are no twists, or shoot-outs, or fast-cuts or overacting. It's simple, real and effective. Those who value the plain moments of life, where one sticks to his own self and thoughts, will find this experience envigorating, as I and you and many others did.

I often found myself thinking "How cold it does look" or "how hot those potatoes must feel" or "how exhausting and painful it must be to feel that incessant gale" or "what is that horse thinking, after being embraced by a human and feeling its end approaching" or "what hate fuels that man and his soliloquy" or "how must that man feel with that injured arm", "what courage drives them to keep living like that" and such. The movie gives time and suggests these sort of thoughts on you and the beauty of it is that it doesn't indoctrinate you, it doesn't teach you a lesson, it simply stimulates your thoughts around the subject and therefore it never felt boring to me. You watch a painting from the Masters, be it Caravaggio, Vermeer or Velásquez and you wonder the same, you don't just look at it and marvel at its technical prowess. You wonder "who is he", "what is he thinking", "how comfortable is he", "what is he going to do next", "what is his job", "what are his hobbies", etc.

This is art indeed.

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-You won't forget me now?

-No. I've got nobody else to remember.