As a cinephile with a penchant for the enigmatic and the abstract, I find myself utterly captivated by the ethereal beauty and haunting symbolism of “The Passion of Darkly Noon.” Having traversed through countless films, I can confidently assert that this masterpiece stands out as a unique and profound work of art.
As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that the ’90s were quite an intriguing era in the world of cinema. The film industry was thriving, leading to a significant surge in production costs. For instance, ‘True Lies’ in 1994 broke new ground by being the first film to cost over $100 million. Fast forward three years, and the budget for Titanic doubled that figure at an astonishing $200 million. The unexpected triumph of unconventional films like ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘The Full Monty’, and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ prompted studios to become more daring with their investments, allowing A-list actors to venture into less traditional roles. This narrative leads us to Philip Ridley, a filmmaker whose work in the ’90s was as peculiar as a moonlit dream, particularly his enigmatic, offbeat 1995 masterpiece, ‘The Passion of Darkly Noon‘.
The movie features actors like Brendan Fraser, Ashley Judd, Viggo Mortensen, and Grace Zabriskie, who often works with David Lynch, but it’s not widely viewed. According to its director, only a handful of people, possibly including their pets, watched it when it was in London. The film is unique because it essentially blends a dark fairy tale with elements from the erotic thriller, horror, romance, fantasy, and even unintentional humor genres.
“The Passion of Darkly Noon” showcases some extraordinary, almost surreal performances from its well-known cast members, and direction that is truly distinctive, if not conventionally believable. Now, watching it has never been easier! It’s available for streaming on Prime Video, Peacock, and even free on Tubi. Additionally, it streams on Plex or can be rented for just $1.99 on popular digital platforms like YouTube and Apple TV. So, is it worth your time? Absolutely, but more so as an intriguing and indelible curio rather than pure entertainment. Here’s why:
Bonkers Brendan Fraser Goes Mad with Lust
The story of “The Passion of Darkly Noon” unfolds much like a straightforward moral tale or enchanting fable. It centers on the title character, played by Fraser, who is a young man seemingly lost in a large forest. He encounters a radiant woman named Callie, portrayed by Ashley Judd, and she tenderly nurses him back to health and cares for him. In return, he assists her around their dwelling.
In simple terms, they have vastly distinct mindsets. Known as Lee by Callie, Darkly Noon was given his name due to his deeply religious upbringing in an intense, cult-like community that was violently disbanded by the local townspeople, resulting in the death of his parents. Conversely, Callie resides in a morally ambiguous relationship with her partner, Clay, who is absent when Darkly arrives. Callie indulges in smoking and wears provocative clothing, while Darkly struggles with a stutter and frequently recites scripture. As they become acquainted, Darkly grapples with his religious extremism and experiences an increasing pull towards earthly desires, which appear to be stirred by Callie.
In a surprising turn for Fraser’s career, this role presents an unusual, even jarring departure from his past comedic roles like “Encino Man,” “Airheads,” and “The Scout.” Instead of the boisterous humor we’re accustomed to, Fraser delivers quiet, stuttering lines. However, his physical intensity remains, as Darkly stays rigid and focused, with piercing eyes and taut muscles. The film doesn’t reveal its secrets easily, but when you witness what this character does in the face of sexual temptation and descent into madness, it pushes Fraser to emotional depths rarely seen in his work. While some critics have deemed his performance excessive, others appreciate that this is a crucial part of the fairy tale motif and applaud his efforts. This role is intense, raw, and unlike anything we’ve ever seen from him before.
The Strange Glow of Ashley Judd & Viggo Mortensen
In “The Passion of Darkly Noon,” Ashley Judd had previously appeared in only three films, including two independent gems (“Ruby in Paradise” and “Smoke”) and a role in Michael Mann’s acclaimed work “Heat.” However, Philip Ridley’s film portrays Judd as if she were an enduring, iconic symbol of sexual allure. The entire movie is shot in high contrast, but shots featuring Judd are pushed to the extreme, casting her with a permanent halo and making her appear like a radiant blonde angel. She embodies temptation and desire flawlessly, yet also represents both aspects of the ‘mother and whore’ stereotype often found in misogyny – she nurtures Darkly within her home but is also an object of desire who is living ‘in sin’ with another man, which further fuels Darkly’s insanity when Clay (Mortensen) returns.
In the movie, Viggo Mortensen portrays a silent carpenter who crafts coffins, living in an unusual fairy tale realm. There’s a high demand for his work from beyond the forest where most of the story unfolds, as suggested by a mortician who pays a visit. The world outside this small forest area appears to be on the brink of apocalypse, mirroring the character Darkly’s growing fanaticism and madness.
Gradually, Darkly encounters a secretive, wrathful woman in the forest named Roxy, who asserts that Callie is actually a witch who lured and murdered her spouse. This allegation, along with unsettling hallucinations of his deceased, gunshot-wounded parents, fuels Darkly’s escalating anger towards Callie.
A Fiery Eruption of Misogyny and Religion
The climax is intensely disturbing, causing you to view Brendan Fraser in a new light forever. It’s a fiery end to a disquieting movie that makes you uncomfortable, leading to a mysterious aftermath that leaves you puzzled and aggravated. Similar to Philip Ridley’s earlier film, The Reflecting Skin, this movie serves as a powerful critique of religious fundamentalism and misogyny, with Ridley himself commenting later:
“I found myself tackling one of the most profound apprehensions within religion – the suppression of women and their sexuality. Throughout history, they’ve been kept in subjugation. The labeling of any woman perceived as sexually dangerous as a witch is an example, as Darkly accuses Callie under Roxy’s influence. This is essentially what I meant when I spoke about the fairy tale structure merely serving as a foundation.
What the Hell Does Darkly Noon Mean?
Many viewers, even those who are fond of the movie “The Passion of Darkly Noon,” acknowledge that the film is notably cryptic and mysterious, particularly its ending and certain key scenes involving a large shoe mysteriously floating into the forest via a lake. The symbolism surrounding this event seems significant for grasping the narrative, but it’s handled in such an abstract way that leaves many questioning its true meaning. Although a brief explanation is provided near the film’s conclusion, the profound nature of the imagery makes it feel crucial to deciphering the plot.
In a nutshell, having only one shoe represents Darkly’s solitude and yearning for love. Throughout the film, he questions, “Who will love me now?” This mirrors his longing to be understood or ‘known’, as hinted by his name being derived from 1 Corinthians 13:12 – “For now we see through a dark glass; then we shall know fully, but now only imperfectly.” Interestingly, another shoe, though smaller and presumably belonging to the pair, is held by a child at the end. This could symbolize Darkly’s innocent or childlike nature. However, it’s worth noting that the verse preceding his namesake reads:
As a youngster, my speech, understanding, and thoughts were like those of a child. But once I grew up, I left behind the simple ways of thinking that are typical for children.
In essence, we might view Darkly as a man who never truly grew up, exhibiting traits such as Biblical fundamentalism, sexual restraint, and eventual anger towards Callie. Furthermore, the film’s use of a large, silver shoe serves to underscore its fairy tale nature, much like the enchanted shoes in “The Wizard of Oz” (the book, where the shoes are indeed silver). However, one could argue that attempting to dissect and interpret this film might be futile. As Ridley expresses in his book “The American Dreams” (which compiles screenplays for his first movie and “The Passion of Darkly Noon,” along with additional writings), perhaps it’s more productive to simply let the film speak for itself.
When viewing my movies, consider them as if they were psychedelic experiences; understanding them partially means you’re on the right track. Disregard conventional logic and embrace the unexpected, for they often occur. It’s like peering into dreams. We remember fragments – images, moments, fleeting emotions – not the entire storyline. So, don’t try to analyze it, immerse yourself in it. The meaning isn’t a puzzle to solve; rather, it lies within how it makes you feel. It’s more emotional than intellectual.
The movie titled “The Passion of Darkly Noon” is available to stream for free on platforms like Tubi and Plex. Additionally, it can be found on Peacock and Prime Video. You can find links to the film at the start of this article.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-17 08:02