Popular Post The Illustrious Jerry 3,356 Posted August 12, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 12, 2021 A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the world." I've always felt there was an important piece missing from my understanding of Spielberg's filmography. I could never quite figure out what it was, and I certainly didn't expect the answer to come from a film that had already been made. While there remains a handful of holes in my viewing of his work (A.I. being one of them for the longest time), I had long thought it likely that this void might only ever be filled by a new Spielberg project, a coda that had the opportunity to convey something truly and deeply retrospective (The Fablemans perhaps?). Nonetheless, I now realize that this unexplained absence I had once felt was merely an oversight on my part, and has been wholly remedied by what is surely one of the most reflective and rewarding films of Spielberg's career. While many will revisit what may be one of our greatest director's most misunderstood films for its 20th anniversary this year, this was a first time viewing for me. It's hard to articulate the impact inherent in the nature of the material, so I will avoid diving too far into the many philosophical questions the film raises, but the endlessly captivating presentation is perhaps the single finest delivery that one could hope for. Spielberg, Williams, and Kaminski manage to communicate such immensely rich and complicated concepts in perfect synthesis, achieving a pure combination of music and images to create what some have described as "a glimpse into eternity" (such a phrase may read as cheesy hyperbole, but I doubt it has ever been more true). As always, John Williams' contribution is nothing short of masterful. In many ways, A.I. is one of his finest works; a tone poem worthy of the concert hall. Williams' instrumentation is particularly dynamic, with piano, cor anglais, and wordless choir all playing vital roles that stand above comparison in his vast body of work. I'm not skilled enough to wax lyrical about the countless masterstrokes present throughout this score, although I would very much like to be able to. I will say, however, that Abandoned in the Woods is my personal favourite cue, as it splendidly accentuates a heartbreaking scene with equal parts tension and emotion. The way Williams' develops his leitmotifs really lends well to scoring moments such as this, as there is a remarkably effective sincerity to the emphasis his music provides that ultimately marks the argument of manipulation as void. His ability to develop thematic material in this manner has never been more subtle, and yet all of the power that would be expected in a more overt approach is completely retained, if not multiplied, as this fascinating catalogue of motifs weaves together to form one of Williams' greatest tapestries. Janusz Kaminski gets a lot of flack for his work in the early 2000s, with an aesthetic typically defined by bright white lighting and intense bloom. With A.I., however, there's a clear and consistent visual purpose to nearly every scene, solidifying it as a definitive high for Spielberg's longtime cinematographer. DPs and directors can go their whole career without ever coming close to the superb symbolism constantly on display here. For example, the image of David's confused and estranged face framed through the empty eye of his replica (see top left); the same manufactured shell, yet seen through an entirely different set of eyes. Further emphasis on David's multiplicity is made apparent by another striking shot (see top right), with the camera constantly refuting his hopes for human individuality by repeatedly reinforcing that he is still one of many. A dinner scene offers yet another vivid image to dissect (see bottom left): a halo over David echoes the manufacturer's marketing of the boy as "the perfect child", yet it is the same thing that separates him from his adoptive parents in the shot. The depth of these stills alone is unmatched. The lonely and isolated image of David abandoned in the woods (see bottom right) is a lasting one, and it is important to note that it is seen not through the eyes of Monica, but through the soulless reflection of the car's side mirror. There is no other perspective to turn to, as Monica cannot bring herself to look back. I do not possess the ability to unpack in mere words the philosophical wellspring that is so crucial to this wondrously provocative narrative, and while there are certainly several equally valid interpretations to be compared and analyzed, the film ultimately requires a more independent and personal understanding. Nonetheless, there's no doubt in my mind that the efforts of all involved combine to create a truly astounding and transcendent experience. I look forward to seeing how my relationship with this film changes as I grow older, as I'm certain new nuances will come to the fore with age. "Make a wish." "It came true already." P.S. I wrote about this film two months ago and for whatever reason I never posted about it here. Better late than never I suppose. Holko, ragoz350, Jay and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Always rooting for truly visceral cinematic experiences, and it looks like you had one with this film. My own experience, however, was not the same as you and many others seem to share on here. But I am long overdue for a rewatch, so maybe that might change. I will agree that Williams’ score is indeed one of his career highs. The Illustrious Jerry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,524 Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 Anyone with more than a passing interest in A.I., should read what Mark Kermode has to say about the film. In 2001, he watched it, and hated it. A few years later, he had an apostrophe, and wrote about this in his book HATCHET JOB. He even went so far as to apologise to Spielberg himself - in person, no less! - for writing all those bad things, back in the day. It's worth a read. Indianagirl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 I wont ever apologize to SS for my comments on A.I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 4,126 Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Resurrecting @The Illustrious Jerry's review because I was hoping for some discussion on (surprise) the ending. Been diving into the score, and I've seen the film probably 3 times. Like many, I didn't enjoy the film at first, but have come to understand it better and find it incredibly compelling over time. Anyone care to comment on why the Super Mechas consider David their own "Blue Fairy"? I understand that he is like a missing link in their evolution. I understand that he is the closest thing they have to a surviving member of the human species. What I don't understand is how or why they didn't keep some kind of archive or history of their "race" such that they would even need David. I'm not trying to nitpick, but truly curious how none of the other Mechas like Joe and his like didn't survive or keep some kind of memory backup or something. I get that Joe was likely executed, but you have to imagine if the Mecha Race was savvy and fit enough to outlast humans and evolve into Supermechas, then enough of them survived robot genocide or extinction. I think it's profoundly beautiful that they want to treat David with care and grant his wish, but don't really get what he offers them other than the novelty of interacting with an old model of themselves. They can clone Monica, but they can't retro engineer another early super toy like David or Joe for themselves. Seems incongruous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 On 14/08/2021 at 12:15 PM, Naïve Old Fart said: Anyone with more than a passing interest in A.I., should read what Mark Kermode has to say about the film. In 2001, he watched it, and hated it. A few years later, he had an apostrophe, .... " apostrophe"!? 😳😅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,355 Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indianagirl 298 Posted May 2, 2023 Share Posted May 2, 2023 I never understood the hate that accompanied A.I. For me it was a masterpiece from day one. While Minority Report (the following year) was good and instantly respected...A.I. along with Schindler's List were the two best films, in a long list of great films, of his career. Loert and Holko 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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