I felt that not knowing anything about the characters or the context of their lives gave the story more meaning in the sense that the days that are life changing feel like every other day. There is no special alarm that signals that this particular day may end different to any of the others. It was a reminder that you can't tell very much about anyone else just by looking at them - in this case referring back to the class in the film where they discussed how you would spot a gay person walking down the street; with the killers being a part of the LGBTQ community and none of the signs that they spoke to in class being present. An interesting film that was beautifully shot; I loved the repeated feel of the scenes covering all perspectives in each scene. Great review for a great film!
"If each of the men had had a candle and went into the dark together..." While the use of "had had" was indeed a mistake, I believe the use is grammatically correct. Edit: looks like I misspelled "special" too 🤷♂️
The first time I saw this film, the steady cam shots, the composition of the scenes, and the black title cards with white Helvetica font, reminded me of The Shining. It seemed to borrow a great deal in tone from that classic horror film.
@@lostather4821 Even though this movie is based on colombine, it still isnt empty or a pointless portrait. Some people can take this movie into their own thoughts but i think what the movie is showing us is that something so calm, peacful and is in everyones routine can be turned into a tragedy in a matter of seconds. This is something that happens in life every single day, even if it is not as bad as a massacre. I think that this film mirrors life, and i think that there is a deeper meaning than what you think of this movie is.
I think that it's perfect naturalism. It doesn't make the shooting more tragic for the victims nor more epic for the shooters than what it was. For this biopic movies of simple people, I think is perfect.
Today I watched the film for the first time. And I understood everything except the part were Alex kills Eric. I couldn't understand why he did that after loving him. But giving a second though I understood that we actually don't know that much about anyone in the film. I really love that message. And I have and idea for some kind of spiritual succesor of this film. And btw, I was thinking about making a video with your same ideas. Well, finders keepers I guess lmao Really great video and really great channel.
It was also something that people thought had happened in Columbine for a while before forensics proved that both shooters had shot themselves. Same with their implied sexual relationship.
I thought Michelle didn't want to change into shorts because girls made fun of her underwear (in the background in the locker room scene you can overhear them making snide comments about her "granny panties") last time and she didn't want to give them another opportunity to do so.
Though you say Alan Clarke's 1989 film of the same name "provides virtually no context for the murders depicted," it's widely understood to take place during the period of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland.
the movie is slow but the music goes great with the film and the way it shows the Life's of everyone in school and the build up too the main characters and the emotions of Alex in the movie
That’s the point, it’s more natural, nonetheless, the movie also makes everything seem Erie, and make it seem so sudden. Like how everyone would feel on the day. Your missing the point
I felt that not knowing anything about the characters or the context of their lives gave the story more meaning in the sense that the days that are life changing feel like every other day. There is no special alarm that signals that this particular day may end different to any of the others.
It was a reminder that you can't tell very much about anyone else just by looking at them - in this case referring back to the class in the film where they discussed how you would spot a gay person walking down the street; with the killers being a part of the LGBTQ community and none of the signs that they spoke to in class being present.
An interesting film that was beautifully shot; I loved the repeated feel of the scenes covering all perspectives in each scene.
Great review for a great film!
Interesting take. It’s been probably about 15 years since I saw this, really need to give it a revisit.
Phenomenal review for a phenomenal film
"If each of the men had had a candle and went into the dark together..."
While the use of "had had" was indeed a mistake, I believe the use is grammatically correct.
Edit: looks like I misspelled "special" too 🤷♂️
w mans owning it tho
The first time I saw this film, the steady cam shots, the composition of the scenes, and the black title cards with white Helvetica font, reminded me of The Shining. It seemed to borrow a great deal in tone from that classic horror film.
Good observation.
I think SatanTango was more of a inspiration
Haven’t watched this movie in a very long time, it’s honestly such an underrated movie. Great recap.
underrated???? dude its a pointless portrait of something too recent to be fictionalized, its superficial and empty, and it wins the palme of dor
@@lostather4821 ok
@@lostather4821 Even though this movie is based on colombine, it still isnt empty or a pointless portrait. Some people can take this movie into their own thoughts but i think what the movie is showing us is that something so calm, peacful and is in everyones routine can be turned into a tragedy in a matter of seconds. This is something that happens in life every single day, even if it is not as bad as a massacre. I think that this film mirrors life, and i think that there is a deeper meaning than what you think of this movie is.
Great review. There's something special about this film that I can't put into words.
I think that it's perfect naturalism. It doesn't make the shooting more tragic for the victims nor more epic for the shooters than what it was. For this biopic movies of simple people, I think is perfect.
I find it really inspiring.
Today I watched the film for the first time. And I understood everything except the part were Alex kills Eric. I couldn't understand why he did that after loving him. But giving a second though I understood that we actually don't know that much about anyone in the film. I really love that message. And I have and idea for some kind of spiritual succesor of this film.
And btw, I was thinking about making a video with your same ideas. Well, finders keepers I guess lmao
Really great video and really great channel.
It was also something that people thought had happened in Columbine for a while before forensics proved that both shooters had shot themselves. Same with their implied sexual relationship.
I can't believe I missed both of your Elephant videos, man!
Well, better late than never. What a nice surprise.
The sound design is ballachingly good in this film.
7:23 I always wondered what game this was. Does anyone know if it’s just a short film or an actual game?
I think they made It for the movie, honestly it looks like a Doom wad but probably not lol
@@cpi3267 It's inspired by Gerry, another GVS movie released after but shot before Elephant. With Last Days, Elephant and Gerry are a trilogy
I thought Michelle didn't want to change into shorts because girls made fun of her underwear (in the background in the locker room scene you can overhear them making snide comments about her "granny panties") last time and she didn't want to give them another opportunity to do so.
Excellent analysis!
Though you say Alan Clarke's 1989 film of the same name "provides virtually no context for the murders depicted," it's widely understood to take place during the period of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland.
Absolutely, but I was meaning there's no textual indication on why it's happening.
@@styleissubstance Agreed!
the movie is slow but the music goes great with the film and the way it shows the Life's of everyone in school and the build up too the main characters and the emotions of Alex in the movie
my dvd broke so i cant watch it anymore
It's on TH-cam lol
This is such a cool movie review
Great review!!
you can taste the Bresson influence
love your essay tho your voice is kinda strange for me haha, but thanks for your work
I love this movie!
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER JT LEROY?!
epic
🔫🐘
Terrible acting though.
That In my opinion is the point. They're just being who they are - young people- making it natural
That’s the point, it’s more natural, nonetheless, the movie also makes everything seem Erie, and make it seem so sudden. Like how everyone would feel on the day. Your missing the point