This tremendous film is not the story of one 'coming home', rather, it's the story of two men. They both have been gradually crushed by life. One a laid off, divorced man at the end of his rope, the other a disrespected, ashamed man who is about to retire. Gradually, they shed their former selves, as when Foster gives him his breifcase saying 'I won't be needing it anymore.
There are so many symbols sprinkled throughout, from the fact that both men have the same the toy in their possession that plays the same tune-'London bridges falling down', it is hard to pick just one. But here is one. One is the scene where Bill Foster is pleading with his exwife when he is the intended target of a retaliatory driveby. They miss and wind up crashing the car. He calmly walks over and then stops. There behind is an Hispanic style portrait of Jesus with his arms outstretched. He then blocks the view so that he has replaced Jesus. This imagery is repeated again at the very end when he gets shot and falls with his arms similar into the ocean. Another is him telling his ex over the phone how an Apollo mission had gone past the point of no return, and had to finish their journey to the end, what Foster must do.
The cop, Pendergast, is on the same journey, gradually getting sucked into the of man on the loose. During the process, he loses his timidity and begins to reclaim what the once had. Both men, the end of their respective journeys, meet at the end in a showdown. A great scene. But one of the more subtle ones standout just as much. A man has been coming the same bank for seven years, the same as Foster's employment before his lay off, and is refused a loan. He protests with a sign saying 'not economically viable'. He is wearing the same outfit as Foster to a tee, and as he is led away by police in handcuffs, he catches Foster's eye, and Foster gives a slight nod. Great stuff.
Overall, a fantastic film that will give you chills, especially if you've been down and out. It will give humor. It will make you think.
There are so many symbols sprinkled throughout, from the fact that both men have the same the toy in their possession that plays the same tune-'London bridges falling down', it is hard to pick just one. But here is one. One is the scene where Bill Foster is pleading with his exwife when he is the intended target of a retaliatory driveby. They miss and wind up crashing the car. He calmly walks over and then stops. There behind is an Hispanic style portrait of Jesus with his arms outstretched. He then blocks the view so that he has replaced Jesus. This imagery is repeated again at the very end when he gets shot and falls with his arms similar into the ocean. Another is him telling his ex over the phone how an Apollo mission had gone past the point of no return, and had to finish their journey to the end, what Foster must do.
The cop, Pendergast, is on the same journey, gradually getting sucked into the of man on the loose. During the process, he loses his timidity and begins to reclaim what the once had. Both men, the end of their respective journeys, meet at the end in a showdown. A great scene. But one of the more subtle ones standout just as much. A man has been coming the same bank for seven years, the same as Foster's employment before his lay off, and is refused a loan. He protests with a sign saying 'not economically viable'. He is wearing the same outfit as Foster to a tee, and as he is led away by police in handcuffs, he catches Foster's eye, and Foster gives a slight nod. Great stuff.
Overall, a fantastic film that will give you chills, especially if you've been down and out. It will give humor. It will make you think.
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