Ok, let me the first person to tell you, I have never been a big Brad Pitt fan. I was never into any of his movies, I never really found him attractive, and I especially loathed him when he divorced Jennifer Anniston and hooked up with Angelina Jolie.
All of those might seem like good reasons, but in all essence, I really don't know that much about the man. He isn't an actor of my generation and so I was never interested in the movies he did.
Until I got bored one afternoon and raided my brother's movie collection. I had heard of Legends of The Fall, but had never cared to see it.
One, my brother isn't the romance movie type. He likes war, westerns, and just about any genre except romance and so I thought it was just another western flick.
Two...it had Brad Pitt in it. So you can see how totally desperate I was if I chose to watch a western with Brad Pitt as the lead role.
The movie is rated R for language and (in my opinion) an unnecessary love scene.
Set in the Rocky Mountains of Montana in the early 1900s, this is a tale of love, betrayal, and brotherhood. After being discharged, Colonel Ludlow decides to raise his three sons in the wilds of Montana, where they can grow up away from the government and society he has learned to despise. The three brothers mature and seem to have an unbreakable bond, until Susanna enters their lives. When Samuel, the youngest of the three, returns from college he brings with him his beautiful fiancée, Susanna. The eldest son, Alfred, soon finds himself in love with his brother's fiancée, and things get worse when he discovers a growing passion between Susanna and Tristan. Colonel Ludlow's favorite son, Tristan is willful and as wild as the mountains. As the brothers set out to fight a war in Europe, suspicion and jealousy threatens to tear apart their once indestructible bond.*
Within the first ten minutes of the movie I could not move from my spot.It was heartbreaking and full of passion. The beginning was utterly gripping, this family of men was very real and moving (coming from a family with a lot of boys, I saw a lot of comparisons). It took place during my favorite time period (WWI). The characters were so relate-able. And of course, Julia Ormond as the leading female was incredible and beautiful.
I was glad it wasn't a western or some all guy flick. I found it irresistibly romantic, completely passionate, and very hopeful.
What I think was the most intriguing was that I could relate to most of the story. The death of one loved person can set off a series of painful, heartbreaking, and fearful events. Believe me, my family and I know what that is like. Some parts of the story may seem predictable, but that's also what makes it so very real and understandable.
So, we have discovered that this movie is romantic, set in an incredible time in history, has relate-able heartache, and although I wouldn't say it had a happy ending, I would more or less say it had a hopeful ending that leaves you with a content frame of mind. With all of those wonderful qualities, here comes the acid test.
Was Brad Pitt worth the watch?
(queue in Jeopardy music)
Completely and absolutely! He totally blew me away with his acting! He was able to convey Tristan Ludlow with an intense variety of human emotions. He went from playing a cocky and wild cowboy to a fearless and noble soldier. What struck me the most was his intense portrayal of Tristan as a grieving and guilt ridden brother who has lost all reason to go on in life.
Tristan finally comes back out of his grief to start a new life with his young wife and children, only to lose his wife in a terrible accident. Then comes in anger, rage, and revenge. I couldn't help but sympathize with him. The end is unbelievable and like I said, it isn't what one would call happy, but better off calling it hopeful.
And I may as well say it. At the age Brad Pitt was when he did this movie (30), I can't help but admit, he was pretty easy on the eyes. Especially my skeptical and doubtful eyes. I honestly think I found myself falling for him the deeper he went into his character.
So maybe I can give this man the benefit of the doubt. He's a good actor, an attractive human being, and although he has many faults, don't we all, he's seems to be a good and devoted father to his growing family.
-Ivy
*source: IMDb
Hahaha! Ivy, you're adorable! Though I've not seen many Brad Pitt movies myself I have been quite impressed with his ability to act, despite his personal life. I shall have to add this movie to my 'to watch' list (skipping a scene or two, of course).
ReplyDeleteHaha! I too didn't care a whit for Brad Pitt for many years, though I had friends who were crazy about him. Then I saw Meet Joe Black and completely reversed my opinion. The man can act, and he's easy on the eyes, so I no longer avoid his movies :-)
ReplyDeleteI saw LotF a long time ago, and liked it all right, though I don't remember much about it anymore.