|
Let me
start by saying that I hate black and white movies, and that I hate old
movies. And, I really hate old black and white movies. Not this one
though, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm not going to go into all of the
different meanings of the film, just the ones that jumped out at me. But
first, the plot.
Atticus
Finch is a lawyer in a racially divided Alabama town in the 1930s. He
agrees to defend a young black man who is accused of raping a white
woman. Many of the townspeople try to get Atticus to pull out of the
trial, but he decides to go ahead.
That's the
short version, I'm not gonna say hardly anything about the cast as
Robert Duvall is the only actor I have seen in anything else and this
was his first film. Not only that, he doesn't have any lines! Oh, and
Ezmeralda from the TV series Bewitched is in this also.
The scene
where Atticus is guarding the jail cell and Scout starts to talk to one
of the members of the lynch mob was my favorite scene. I believe that if
the kids hadn't been there this would have been a really short movie.
Children with their innocence and general good nature can hold the key
to bring rationalism and caring to the world. If only society would pay
attention and let them be kids.
I used to
spend the summers in Tennessee with my grandfather when I was younger,
and hearing the two children's accents brought back a lot of memories.
One thing that is for sure, at least here in the North, is that the
gentle politeness of the South doesn't reach up here.
I only half
expected the trial to end the way it did, and I sure didn't see Tom's
demise at all. Just goes to show that it isn't what you would call a
“feel good” movie. Although some of the other plot points did have a
better ending? Is that the right way to say it? I'm talking about Bob
Ewell's just desserts at the hands of Boo Radley. I believe the line
was, “Let the dead bury the dead.” And I agree.
An
excellent film and I can see why the book is the most taught novel in
school. If you haven't seen this movie I believe you should watch it
soon. I know I can't believe I haven't seen this or read the book.
Anyways,
until Atticus Finch goes up against Johnny Cochrane, keep reading.
Mitch
Best Lines:
Atticus
Finch: If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot
better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person
until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb
inside of his skin and walk around in it.
Calpurnia:
That boy is your company. And if he wants to eat up that tablecloth, you
let him, you hear? And if you can't act fit to eat like folks, you can
just set here and eat in the kitchen.
Jem:
Listen, no matter what she says to you, don't answer her back. There's a
Confederate pistol in her lap under her shawl and she'll kill you quick
as look at you. Come on.
Atticus
Finch: Good Afternoon Miss Dubose... My, you look like a picture this
afternoon.
Scout:
[hiding behind Atticus whispering to Jem and Dill] He don't say a
picture of what.
|
