Blog Assignment #2
After readying “Against Interpretation” by Susan Sontag, it seemed to me that she’s against interpretation but pro criticism. She believes that the idea of people trying to interpret or derive hidden messages in work of art by others seems very deceitful as the person doing the interpretation is taking the credit of the original author/creator. Anytime you interpret someone’s work, you’re going off their work of art and stealing a fraction of the credit which belongs to the original creator of the material. Therefore, after carefully reading a review by Roger Ebert of the film “Single Man” (2009) Tom Ford, one can truly comprehend what Sontag is trying to say. The review does achieve Sontag’s definition of “successful criticism” in the beginning portion of it as it describes the movie plot and gives a little background information on both the movie and movie characters, and the director. However, it loses its ground once the review leads to its main argument that Tom Ford tried to portray himself through the primary character, George, in the movie. To a certain extent he did, maybe the feeling of losing a loved one, or the fashion choice of George, but then you have got to realize George is not openly gay as Tom Ford is nor is Ford suicidal, or displayed any sort of behavior that might possibly lead one to believe he is.
If concentrating on the form of the film like Sontag suggests, I would probably take the time to point out the settings and the cinematography. The setting (at least in George’s house) is very parallel with George’s fashion and thinking. It’s all very neatly organized and repetitive, in other words the same locations are used to show that George is a very strict person and lives a life of routine. The cinematography aspect of the movie that sticks out is the constant saturation and de-saturation in the middle of the film to show the mood, and outlook of George on life. It shows how at times he experiences joy which is quick to leave just so his depression can set back in. Also does a nice job showing how he makes his last moment of joy last, by dying in the middle of his moment.
