The B-Masters Cabal

6 Comments

• #1 by Jen S on January 7, 2011 - 1:06 pm

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  I saw this film in the theaters and absolutely loved it. The ghost was all the more terrifying for, as you said, just appearing randomly with no rhyme or reason–the embodiment of guilt and grief suddenly punching you in the chest as you make a sandwich or drive along the road, nearly killing you (in the case of the film, literally.)

  I see the ghost as being the father in law because he represents so many things to Michael–his wife, the past, the underlying resentment that his wife’s dad lived while she died, the dad’s deep, unending pain a warped mirror of where Michael himself could end up if he doesn’t find a way out of his unspoken sorrow.

  Lena represents a way out, but the way out is never easy–it’s steep and shame-riddled and makes you feel like the only loyal thing to do is to give in to ghosts. Will you or won’t you?

• #2 by Braineater on January 8, 2011 - 5:49 pm

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  I agree with Jen: the ghost appears when Michael feels he has so much to feel guilty about (though to us his thoughts and actions seems perfectly human and more than forgivable). It seems like the ghost’s a manifestation of the misery he’s taken for granted since his wife’s death. It could also be a straightforward premonition of the old man’s death; but I like Jen’s reading better, since it works so well to explain the contrast in the two parts of the final ghost scene(s). And I don’t mind that the haunting seems unresolved, since nothing is really resolved at the end… which to me was a very satisfying way to finish the film.

  Also, some of the music is settings of text taken from (or adapted from) the Mass for the Dead, praying for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal peace… an unusual choice for a romance, but fitting in this case.

  Pity about the title, though. This movie has so much more to say about love and loss than any juvenile vampire nonsense. But I’m told that the title of the story the movie’s based on is “Table Manners”, which isn’t much better…

• #3 by Nathan Shumate on January 8, 2011 - 6:39 pm

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  Yes. For instance, the time he’s going to touch old shoes in the closet? Pure guilt.

  • #4 by Braineater on January 8, 2011 - 8:21 pm

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    Oh, phooey. That’s after he’s found himself so reluctant to say goodbye to Lena at the hospital… and then sat up half the night torturing himself with old photos of his late wife. GUILT.

    Plus, “touching old shoes in the closet” sounds like something you should feel guilty about.

    • #5 by Nathan Shumate on January 9, 2011 - 8:04 am

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      I know. I’m just being contrary. AS IS MY RIGHT.

      • #6 by Jen S on January 9, 2011 - 11:45 am

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        I must admit, I never heard it called that before.