MovieChat Forums > The Delicate Art of the Rifle (1996) Discussion > Help!!! There are parts of this film I n...

Help!!! There are parts of this film I need to understand but don't!

posted 16 years ago by BelleCBelle
3 replies | jump to latest

I think there is a lot going on in this film and appreciate it for so many reasons - the cinematography, the actors, lighting, sound, the absolute beauty of the cinematography (I mentioned that already, didn't I), the costumes. I could go on and on. I have this film saved on my DVR player so I can watch it again - after I think about it for a time.

I just saw this film on IFC and have to say that films like this are what IFC is supposed to be about - or at least that IS what "INDEPENDENT" Film Channel stands for, correct? So anyway -

What does the scene with the cupcakes and the sprinkles have to do with the film?
What does the scene where Sam is an astronaut who opens his Coke, puts sprinkles on a cupcake and gives it to him have to do with the film

But I enjoy IMDB for the message boards and the different points of view - so help me out with yours!

[–] DumaNV 16 years ago

I thought the film was okay and had its moments but was not horific enough to be a drama and not funny (or even oddly obtuse) enough to be a comedy. I saw it once when it aired on IFC about a week ago then again on my DVR just last weekend. I have to say that I struggled both times to stay awake up until the professor got shot.

But now, after a few days of thinking about it, to me it was like someone was filming his own inside jokes and not bothering to let you in on the what they mean.

Experimental? Sure.
Entertaining? Marginal.
Insightful? Nope.

In all I would rather see "Elephant" again. At least with that movie I somewhat cared about the people.

[–] darkzero 15 years ago

The only thing this pretentious little "movie" made me feel, was the need to take a rifle myself and shoot the entire cast and crew.

Someone marveled about the cinematography. What cinematography? Most of the scenes are shot on a fixed tripod.

I don't think it was all that "experimental". Nill-budget, amatuerish productions like this have a tendency to look artsy and avant-gard, but it's really just a symptom of incompetent filmmaking and lack of resources.

There was at least some thought to the screenplay (which is teribly unengaging, in my opinion), but turn the sound down, and it looks like a couple of teenagers playing with an old Super 8 camera.

To see the only real monster, one must only look in the mirror.

[–] budwhitey 15 years ago

ok DUMA, but you gotta realize that this movie was shot and cut 'BEFORE' all the Columbine and Littleton BS. Its 1996, closer to the wake of Oklahoma City, before these things took place, know your timeline