THE IMMIGRANT: Welcome to a New York Worthy of Dickens My wife and I saw THE IMMIGRANT on Friday. This is a movie that generates admiration, though not necessarily affection. The filmmakers have done a superb job in recreating a hard-knocks New York City in the 1920s. While this is hardly Batmans ultra-modern artificial Gotham where the sun seemingly never shines, it is a place bereft of warmth and full of harsh shadows. The tenement world in which much of the film takes place feels claustrophobic despite the best efforts of the confined to add the touches that make a place feel like a home. This is an environment and a story worthy of Dickens had he lived fifty years or so longer and moved to America. The film provides a stage for three major stars. Marion Cotillard centers the film as the title character who despite being cruelly exploited and denied any supports never completely surrenders to her situation and maintains her personal integrity and will to survive. She immediately has our sympathy as we see her negotiating her way through the challenges she faces to enjoying the freedom of being an American. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a terrific performance as Bruno Weiss in which he amalgamates the obsequiousness of Uriah Heep, the exploitative cunning of Fagin, and the temper of Bill Sykes. Clearly a character that despite his expressed good intentions should never be fully trusted and Marion Cotillards Ewa--to her credit--never does. Jeremy Renner--as Brunos estranged cousin Emil--plays against type. After playing numerous roles as intense tough guys, Renner gets to show his warm and sensitive side. Yet his stage persona as Orlando the Magician and allusions to vices of drinking and gambling clearly present Ewas dilemma as to whether his appearance of goodness is illusory. While the characters, institutional callousness, and sense of place seem to have emerged from Dickens, there is something missing. There are no moments of levity or characters of charm or wit that leaven what is a pretty bleak affair. It was often these grace notes in Dickens writing that made his stories so lovable. The film, however, does remind us that everyone who came to this country from somewhere else had a story to tell and few of them were easy. Many faced exploitation and hostility. This was true in 1920; it was true in 1620; and it is true today. And yet most of our forebears who survived and prospered did so due to a combination of hard work, good luck, and the help of someone else. This is well-worth remembering.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 13:55:12 +0000
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