Distant Voices...

This film was clearly very well constructed and shot just as was planned. It captures the non-sequential human brain fairly well. There seemed to be logic behind the scenes transitions, but as with a human mind, might not make obvious sense to the viewer. Davies utilizes contrast in several different ways. As was mentioned in class, he exploited an erie effect by playing serene music during high tension or violent scenes. He also demonstrated that one character could be recalling a particularly devistating memory, while another remembers a fond recolection. At other times a terrible scene will shift immediatly to a joyous period.

The downside to all this is a difficulty in following anything beyond simple plot. That knowledge isn't necessary to enjoy the movie, but might frustrate an audience. I found myself never truly seperating many of the characters. I just foudn myself generalizing a majority of the characters as "abuser" and "victim." For a film that seems to demonstrate alternative perspectives, it does fail to give many characters extra dimension. A character is a hatefilled ass (usually directed at the typically weaker women behind closed doors.) or a repressed and innocent victim (putting on a brave face in public, defying through song.) There is very little variance, barring Micky and Red.

This is my opinion based on viewing it two decades after release. That might be a factor, but I can't say. It was definitly worth the time to watch and I would recomend it for it's style if nothing else. I would recomend the British never use the word "Ciggie" ever again.