salad_days-1
Joined Jun 2006
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salad_days-1's rating
Pathfinder was not nearly as bad as many people are making it out to be. True, the editing was mediocre at best, with the seasons clearly out of whack. There were some pretty odd incongruencies with language as well. The filmmakers relied on some trite Native American imagery and stereotypes...
But Pathfinder was obviously never about the plot or silly Viking outfits. Ultimately I think the filmmakers wanted to impress upon the viewers the starkness of the landscape of "uncivilized" North America, and how the people who lived there survived. One of the best lines in the movie is delivered when Ghost tells his lady friend that the Vikings know eternal winter, but "don't know our spring." I think the movie, in its own kind of botched way, did a good job conveying the awe, reverence and fear that the people who lived in N.A. had for the seasons and the natural environment.
But Pathfinder was obviously never about the plot or silly Viking outfits. Ultimately I think the filmmakers wanted to impress upon the viewers the starkness of the landscape of "uncivilized" North America, and how the people who lived there survived. One of the best lines in the movie is delivered when Ghost tells his lady friend that the Vikings know eternal winter, but "don't know our spring." I think the movie, in its own kind of botched way, did a good job conveying the awe, reverence and fear that the people who lived in N.A. had for the seasons and the natural environment.
I was surprised this movie was as good as it was. My friend picked it up at the movie store on a whim and I was a little skeptical after reading the synopsis on the back of the jacket. My first reaction, in fact, was, "This sounds like porn." But that's besides the point. It is actually a very entertaining (and at times cheesy) look at existentialism. The acting is very solid, even from James Marsden (who appears to be a male model). Gary Oldman is awesome. Essentially, Neal Oliver (Marsden) is slightly unhappy with the direction his life is taking; he wants to be an artist but his family wants him to go to law school - he abhors the idea. Gary Oldman's character is a leprechaun of sorts, he grants wishes, has a crazy little monkey pipe, etc etc. Oldman finds his way into Neal's life. On his birthday, Neal wishes for "an answer to his life." Oldman (and more magical people) set Neal on a road trip down a highway that doesn't exist in order to grant Neal's wish. It sounds absurd and tacky but this really is a good movie. The viewer can easily relate to Neal. The script is very very sharp, the acting is good. Overall, a very thought-provoking and fun film.
