I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone who has
read anything on this blog that I’m a big fan of action and fantasy when it
comes to my viewing preferences. I like car chases and fight scenes and
explosions. I love it if there’s magic involved in those things.
The first movie I watch when the holiday season hits is Die Hard. I may or may not have a
history of dressing
up like characters from Star Wars and
I wanted nothing more as a kid (and, let’s face it, adult) than to become an Animorph.
Give me some wisecracking heroes embarking on a crazy adventure where there
will no doubt be a plethora of bad ass moments and I am a happy girl.
Which is why it sometimes surprises even me how much I love 12 Angry Men.
I put it on this weekend, while I was getting some stuff
done around the apartment. I figured I’d seen it a bunch of times, it would be
better background noise than something I hadn’t watched yet.
Foolish, foolish thought process.
It happened as it always happens. The movie starts and I glance
over at the TV as the jurors are closed in their room. A little over and hour
and half later, I’m shocked to see the credits come up and realize that I have
somehow ended up nestled into the couch, complete with blanket.
I can’t not get sucked into this movie. (Yup, enjoy all
those negatives.)
There’s no magic, but I’m completely enthralled. Nothing
blows up, but I’m on the edge of my seat. The fights aren’t physical, but I
still catch myself flinching.
It’s just twelve dudes in one room, arguing with each other.
And I can’t look away.
Why?
The plot is simple. A jury must decide on the guilt of a
teenager on trial for his father’s murder.
The overall stakes are clear. If they decide he is the judge
has made it clear that the teenager will receive the death penalty. So, life or
death.
And then there are the characters. I’ve already
mentioned that my true love in all stories are always the characters, above
all else, and man, do I adore each of these flawed fellas.
Every one of them has individual stakes. They each have a
reason for the way they vote. They each have a reason they want to finish the
jury process. Each character is distinct and each character is important. While
Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb may be the ring leaders of the opposing sides, not
one character is there simply as window dressing. They all matter. They all
represent something. And at the end of the movie you remember each of them,
even though you never know most of their names.
This is why I will go back to this movie a floppity-jillion
times during the rest of my life and each time be completely engaged.
What movies do that for you?
I liked this movie. It was a compelling story, and I liked how one man, standing up for what he believes is right, can persuade others to think deeper into motives. A very good story.
ReplyDeleteAllons-y!
Yes! Definitely one of my favorites.
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