Ten minutes into the film, I was near ready to give up on it and agree with it detractors, as it was very slow moving at the start, however, as the story developed I became interested in the 'why' and committed myself to discover the answers. OK, so the critics panned this film as boring and lack luster with some very harsh comments, but my curiosity was sparked by the unusual plot so I gave it a go. You will not have blockbuster special effects here, no violence, no sexual scenes, just a cerebral journey if you like that sort of thing and I do, oh do I recommend it. The direction of Van Sant, impeccable as usual, true to the list of works I love. The performances are the award winning kind and the original screenplay should have been, maybe will be, a novel one day. The journey of the men is a reflection of life, the choices we make and how everyone has the same, more or less, attachment to a life of love. He tries desperately to find his lost friend, once having recovered at the hospital, but to no avail. Both men as it turns out recount their stories and find the will to live, but the environment gets the best of them and only Arthur makes it out. Arthur is in the forest when he encounters a man, Ken Watanabe, who is trying to find his way back to civilisation, having changed his mind about suicide they are lost now in this sea of trees. Now keep in mind that the story is non linear and we watch his adventure in the forest whilst we see the marriage deteriorate and the love of the couple rise above it. He finds the best place to die searching the web, Aokigahara Forest in Japan, also known as suicide forest, and heads there. Overcome by guilt and his despair, he decides to join his beloved in the very way she had made him promise, though he was not terminally ill, just overwhelmed. She has successful surgery and while being transported later from the hospital, the ambulance is hit by a truck and she dies in Arthur's arms. That was a touching and unexpected scene, rarely found in novels or movies that I can recall. In the hospital Joan made Arthur promise, because she too still loved him, that he would not go through what she was going through, that he should end his life in a beautiful setting where he could die with joyful memories rather than the ominous setting she was now experiencing, should he ever find himself faced with a terminal diagnosis. Joan is diagnosed with brain cancer and Arthur's love showed itself to be steadfast just as love should be. The couple had a wonderful life up until Arthur quit, at the behest of Joan, a job he didn't much like and slowly the disparity in their contribution to the household income began to pull them apart. One has to pay attention and not miss anything. The movie toggles between current time and what lead to Arthur's near demise. Arthur Brennan played by McConaughey, is having marital problems his wife Joan a borderline alcoholic yet successful business women resents the low paying job of Arthur, a science professor, who cannot contribute a fraction of what income she generates, but it's her lack of trust in him ever since he had an affair that fuels her alcoholism. Oscar winning actor Matthew McConaughey and Oscar nominated Naomi Watts and Ken Watanabe also guarantee the production will provide fine performances and they did, superbly. Also when your better half says she loves it, you tend to watch, so I did. I've liked most all of Gus Van Sant directed movies, so I was more than curious to view this film. Since the re-watchablity (for me at least) isn't there, I give this a B+. That said, it is one you have to be in the mood for and be emotionally ready to handle. Overall, near perfect pacing, writing and acting lead to a great movie. There was a movie called The Forest that came out a few months ago that dealt with this area as well, I liked that one better but the movies are just so different its almost hard to compare the two. The pacing and writing of the movie is near perfect and the acting only adds to the emotion needed for a film like this. Little by little you find out more and more about Arthur's story and why he is in the position he is. The acting is great, as would be expected, and that really carries the movie. This is not super depressing, but its not a very happy movie either. This is a good movie but one you must be in the mood for. Arthur decides to help him escape, and along the way the two begin to discuss their lives, and find reasons for living. When he begins to carry out his plan he notices Takumi (Watanabe) who has changed his mind about suicide and is trying to find his way out. He flies to Japan in order to visit the mysterious Aokigahara forest to end it all. "I don't want to die, I just didn't want to live." Arthur Brennan (McConaughey) is tired of his life and is just flailing and decides he only has one option.
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