Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Road (2009)


Whereas Cormac McCarthy's respected novel The Road almost seemed gimmicky much of the time, the film adaptation starring Viggo Mortinson was nothing but genius. We are thrown into a post-apocalyptic world with no political, religious or practical cause presented. The environment is falling apart and all living humans must fight for the remaining resources in cities and towns. As canned goods become scarce many turn to cannibalism.

The Road is primarily concerned with how a parent can raise a child not just to survive but to be a good person in a world where any society remaining is devoted to victimization and violence. These two individuals, father and son, attempt to keep the last light of humanity burning in a world of utter darkness. They are almost certainly doomed, and yet they carry on. The Road teaches an interesting lesson on good and evil that is not abstract. Good and evil are present in every human being and they vary in prominence according to human choice.

Whether one is in a chaotic and crumbling world or a seemingly ordered society, life comes down to what choices you make.

No comments:

Post a Comment