Well, Ms.Swan was right, definitely the weirdest movie I'd ever seen (and probably will ever see). I tried to explain to my friend the plot, only to realize their was no plot. There were just a lot of stories smooshed together that shared a central theme. If there were to be a 'story', I would have to say it'd be the story of Hal and Dave, since we actually get names from them, making it a more personal connection for the viewer. The movie also ends with them, so I think it's supposed to be the one you think about last, like it's supposed to stay with you.
The whole heavy breathing deal made me so mad, until I realized that it's supposed to be like the monkeys (things) from the beginning, telling us that we are just like we were back then. Vulnerable and afraid, but strong. I read an online thing that talked about how it's supposed to show how machines can be more human than humans. They backed this up with evidence about Hal being the only one that talked about emotions, (like Frank being asleep whilst his family wished him a happy birthday), although I agree to some extent, I don't think that was the whole point. Sometimes humans are driven to do some pretty non-human things. Like when Dave let Frank go so he could get into the station. Although one might argue that there was a way that he could have brought them in, there really wasn't. Dave was forced to do that. Between his life and Frank's already dead self (harsh I know), he had to chose himself. Maybe Hal is supposed to be a human in our most primitive state (like Dave was forced to be after letting go of Frank). He acted impulsively after he heard that Dave and Frank were planning to shut him down, and when Dave does unplug him, he goes back to saying things like his name, and his birthday, some of the first things we learn as children. Maybe this isn't anything just some ideas that were floating around.
Total disclaimer, I didn't really understand the story line of the guy with the space conference and sippy cup food. Maybe I missed something.
This was both hilarious and insightful. I definitely agree with your ideas. We aren't so different from our primitive ancestors after all. Additionally, that breathing was agreeably very annoying. Your perspective on even HAL regressing to a less complex state is really striking to me. I didn't even think of that- perhaps that's what the monolith did to us, stripped us of everything we knew and reverted us to a primitive state.
ReplyDeleteI'll third the idea that the heavy breathing was annoying, but maybe it was intended that way to show that we will get annoyed at someone in a terrible situation even if all they do to us is breathe loudly. Thus despite all of our talk and pretense we still aren't better than the animals at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the insight about the heavy breathing, and I think it was meant to be used as a comparison to our earlier state
ReplyDeleteMaybe we all missed SOMEthing--there's a lot of weird here--but I think you said so much about so many things, here! You had me at: "Vulnerable and afraid, but strong." Because yes--here's a man, still breathing in the vacuum of space, but here's a reminder of how vulnerable he is, as well.
ReplyDeleteI was actually surprised that Dave risked his life to go get Frank's surely already dead, body. Yours is certainly the kinder point of view.
I disagree about the heavy breathing, I liked how it increased the suspense. I have sympathy for Dave because I think he figured that if he could destroy HAL he could go back and get Frank again.
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