I think I'll pass on watching Zone of Interest. Your description reminded me of Killers of the Flower Moon. At first, I thought Moon was conveying the banality of evil. But to understand the banality, you first must understand the evil. Flower Moon portrayed evil as ordinary, something anyone might do, merely as an aspect of circumstance. And in the end, the evil-doers got to live. I thought it was morally outrageous, and Zone sounds similar. So I'll move on.
I wanted to comment on Anatomy of a Fall. One of the smartest movies in recent memory! I watched it twice and noticed that my attitude toward Sandra and her son transitioned from sympathy to active admiration. These two never wavered in their commitment to reality and the truth, always holding themselves and others to a high standard of rationality. (BTW, I am happy I will never have to defend myself in a French court!)
I’ve watched it twice as well. I agree about the mother and son characters being virtuous. It’s a fine and thoughtful movie. So glad you enjoyed it, too.
I think I'll pass on watching Zone of Interest. Your description reminded me of Killers of the Flower Moon. At first, I thought Moon was conveying the banality of evil. But to understand the banality, you first must understand the evil. Flower Moon portrayed evil as ordinary, something anyone might do, merely as an aspect of circumstance. And in the end, the evil-doers got to live. I thought it was morally outrageous, and Zone sounds similar. So I'll move on.
Jim, I think you’re exactly right. Scorsese’s a masterful artist with an awful philosophy. I can’t recommend seeing The Zone of Interest.
I wanted to comment on Anatomy of a Fall. One of the smartest movies in recent memory! I watched it twice and noticed that my attitude toward Sandra and her son transitioned from sympathy to active admiration. These two never wavered in their commitment to reality and the truth, always holding themselves and others to a high standard of rationality. (BTW, I am happy I will never have to defend myself in a French court!)
I’ve watched it twice as well. I agree about the mother and son characters being virtuous. It’s a fine and thoughtful movie. So glad you enjoyed it, too.