Elephant

2003

Director: Gus Van Sant

Distributors: HBO / Fine Line Features

Key Elements: Concept – Message

My Review:

I rented this movie not really knowing what it was. Boy, was I taken by surprised. It’s about a school shooting both inspired and informed by the Columbine High School Massacre. It’s one of the most intense things I’ve ever seen. Completely shocking.

But it resonated with me. The way death just springs into the story is actually the way death usually happens. We don’t always see it coming. And what caught me wasn’t the thought of my own death, but that thought of so many people at different places in their lives just stepping suddenly into eternity.

If you want something that will light a fire under you to share Jesus with those around you, this movie does it.

One thing i really liked about the movie was that it trails multiple characters and shows us how each has problems they deal with - parents with drinking problems, bulemia, romantic woes, humiliation, loneliness, social pressure and bullying. When the shooters finally show up - you can see the punks for what they are - losers who think their problems are somehow more important than everyone else's. It's fitting that blame be placed on the shooters.

I have no idea why it's called Elephant.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• What are you writing?
  - Uh, this? It's my plan.
  For what?
  - Oh, you'll see.
• Hey, what are you guys doing?
  - Get the fuck out and don't come back! Some heavy shit's going down!
• Don't go in there. Just don't go in there. Trust me. Please.
• You're fuckin' sick. Don't do this.
  - Eeney... Meeney... Meiny... Moe... Catch a... Tiger... By its... Toe ...

Stills: