Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, Coraline tells the story of a girl bored and lonely and disappointed with the turn her life was taken.But then, she finds a mysterious door and, following it, finds herself in an exciting, fawning excessive parallel life.But the wonderful new place may not be as wonderful as it seems.
The movie is great at being at once creepy and mesmerizing.The visuals are definitely its strongest element.
But the story also has an important message – the things we think we want aren’t always what they seem – and if we’re not careful, we can become trapped by them.
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You are NOT my mother.
You know, you could stay forever, if you want to. There's one tiny thing we have to do first...
Be clever, Miss. Even if you win, she'll never let you go!
I was surprised to find out this movie is based on a Winifred Watson novel, and not on a stage play. One of the most charming things about this movie is that watching it makes your feel like you’re at a live theater.
A down-on-her-luck Miss Pedigrew cons her way into a job as an assistant to the promiscuous, high-society theatrical hopeful, Delysia. Throughout the day thw two juggle Delysia’s men as they try to secure a future for themselves.
But as the night draws near, the frivolity wears down, and the stakes become clear. WWII introduces itself, Delysia realizes she must make up her mind and Miss Pettigrew faces a return to the lonely streets.
But these dark realities force the characters to drop their facades and decide what it really worthwhile.
In the end, it’s relationships. Both Miss Pettigrew and Delysia turn to the people they trust most for strength to go through life. It’s a good message delivered along with fun, fast double-entendres and a pretty sweet musical number.
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If I want to smoke cigars, I'll damned well smoke cigars, thank you very much, and to hell with your opinion.
Men are so untrusting. I can't think why.
Not everything comes along just when we want it. There are times when decisions just have to be made, or you certainly will miss out.
I am not an expert on love, I am an expert on the lack of love, Delysia, and that is a fate from which I wish more fervently to save you.
You people, with your green drinks and your parties and your subterfuges! You're all playing at love. One minute her, the next minute someone else, flit, flit, flit! We'll, I'm not playing. Love is not a game.
I liked this movie so much I actually bought and read Jane Austin’s novel.
To tell the truth, I thought the movie did a slightly better job telling the story – the ending was wrapped up more neatly.
The dialogue is well delivered – particularly the scene where Elizabeth and Lady Catherine exchange intimidations. Lizzy elegantly puts her in her place.
The real draw of this story is, of course, seeing the tension build between Elizabeth and Darcy and then dissolve into love.
A classic love story.
But I admit, I probably wouldn’t have liked this movie as much if not for Kiera Knightly.
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Is he amiable?
Count your blessings Lizzie. If he liked you, you'd have to talk to him.
Well, if Jane does die, it will be a comfort to know she was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley.
Your mother insists on you marrying Mr. Collins... Well, Lizzie, from this day henceforth it seems you must be a stranger to one of your parents... Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins... and I will never see you again if you do.
What on earth have you done to poor Mr. Darcy? - I have no idea.
I'm sure that the feelings which, as you've told me have hindered your regard, will help you in overcoming it.
Now tell me once and for all: Are you engaged to him? - I am not. And will you promise never to enter into such an engagement? - I will not and I certainly never shall. You have insulted me in every possible way, and can now have nothing further to say. I must ask you to leave immediately. Good night. I have never been thus treated in my entire life.
You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.
I've been so blind.
I cannot believe that anyone can deserve you... but it appears I am overruled. So, I heartily give my consent …I could not have parted with you, my Lizzie, to anyone less worthy.
How are you this evening, my dear? - Oh, please do not call me that for my father always calls my mother that when he is cross. Alright then, what can I call you? - Call me Lizzie daily and My Pearl on Sundays. What shall I call you when I am cross then? Mrs. Darcy? - No. Only call me Mrs. Darcy when you are devotedly happy and everything is perfect. Mrs. Darcy... Mrs. Darcy... Mrs. Darcy... The lovely Mrs. Darcy.
First, it is so creatively done. The non-linear story telling really draws you in. The visual effects are both playful and subtle. And the music fits both the characters and the story.
But the second thing I love is the movie’s ending. It’s the story of a man fighting (within his own head) for the woman he loves. When things get too hard for her, she checks out. But he doesn’t. In the end, she tries to tell him that it’s not going to work between them, that they’re going to fight and it will be hard. His response is simply “OK.”
His willingness to accept her, hardships and all, brings tears to her eyes. It’s what love really looks like. It’s no fairytale. It’s no soaring romance. It’s two people putting up with all the difficulties of life – together. Awesome message.
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...Our files are confidential Mr. Barish so we can't show you any evidence. Suffice it to say, Miss Kruczynski was not happy and she wanted to move on. We provide that possibility.
Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but it's on a par with a night of heavy drinking. Nothing you'll miss.
He's off the map. He's off the map!
Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders.
Can you hear me? I don't want this any more! I want to call it off!
How happy is the blameless vessel’s lot! …The world forgetting, by the world forgot …Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! …Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.
I did. I thought maybe you were a nut... but you were exciting.
Come back and make up a good-bye at least. Let's pretend we had one.
This is it, Joel. It's going to be gone soon.
- I know. What do we do?
Enjoy it.
Meet me... in Montauk...
I can't see anything that I don't like about you.
- But you will! But you will. You know, you will think of things. And I'll get bored with you and feel trapped because that's what happens with me.
Okay.
- Okay?
Okay.
- …Okay.
Political thrillers aren’t really my thing most the time. But this one caught me. I always like stories about the fight to make sure people are treated like human beings.
The part of this story that really caught me was when Tessa asks Justin to give a ride to some friends of hers in Africa. When he responds that they cannot help everyone, she responds that those are some people they can help.
This argument made by Tessa played on my mind and was directly responsible for my decision to sponsor a child through WorldVision.
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Big pharmaceuticals are right up there with the arms dealers.
I only give the food to the women, Mr. Black. Women make the homes, men just make wars... and hooch. Adam was God's first draft - He got it right with Eve. Tell that to your readers, Mr. Black.
I can't go home. Tessa was my home.
When peaceful means are exhausted... - Exhausted? Mr.Quayle, they're not exactly exhausted, they're just lying in the way of the tanks!
So who has got away with murder? Not, of course, the British government. They merely covered up, as one does, the offensive corpses. Though not literally. That was done by person or persons unknown. So who has committed murder? Not, of course, the highly respectable firm of KDH Pharmaceutical, which has enjoyed record profits this quarter, and has now licensed ZimbaMed of Harare, to continue testing Dypraxa in Africa. No, there are no murders in Africa. Only regrettable deaths. And from those deaths we derive the benefits of civilization, benefits we can afford so easily... because those lives were bought so cheaply.
We can't involve ourselves in their lives, Tessa. - Why. Be reasonable. There are millions of people, they all need help. It's what the agencies are here for. - Yeah, but these are three people that WE can help.
Film noir relocated, this movie takes the violent, criminal underground of half a century ago and sets it in a modern, west coast high school.
The juxtaposition of present-day teens and latter-day patterns of speech creates a surreal undercurrent for a high-stakes drama.
Brendan’s character is particularly interesting. We get hints that he is a loner and a thinker, yet we don’t know much else about him. One thing we know, he loved Emily with a fierce, protective love. Now he’s dead set to make certain that those who took her from him get taken.
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Look, I did what she said with the brick. I didn't know it was bad, but The Pin's on it now for poor Frisco, and they're playing it all on me.
Come on at me if you want, hash head. I've got all five senses and I slept last night - that puts me six up on the lot of you.
When the "Upper-Crust" does shady deeds, they do them all over town, and the pitch is they got these little symbols so they can tell each other without word getting around.
Ask any dope rat where their junk sprang and they'll say they scraped it from that who scored it from this who bought it off so and after four or five connections the list always ends with the Pin. But I bet if you got every rat in town together and said 'show your hands' if any of them've actually seen the Pin, you'd get a crowd of full pockets.
You think nobody sees you. Eating lunch behind the portables. Loving some girl like she's all there is, anywhere, to you. I've always seen you. Or maybe I liked Emily. Maybe I see what you're trying to do for her, trying to help her, and I don't know anybody who would do that for me.
When I think of artistic endings, I think of Atonement. It blew me away.
The story relies too heavily on sex to convey romantic passion. Aside from that creative laziness, the movie is engrossing. It’s visuals are as stunning as its story is tragic.
Robbie and Cecilia’s star-crossed love is derailed when Cecilia’s little sister, Briony, misinterprets their sexual tension and draws the wrong conclusion about Robbie. It is this conclusion that compels her to mistakenly accuse Robbie of a terrible crime. This single act leads to a devastating future for all involved. The story concludes with a surprising twist (It surprised me at least.)
Analyzing the story, we can find several causes for what proves to be an ending more tragic than even that of Romeo and Juliet.
Briony should have respected her sister enough to stay out of her business. She also should have acknowledged that she really didn’t know what was going on between Cecelia and Robby, and she should have given the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to conclusions.
For their part, Cecelia and Robbie should have been more honest about their feelings for each other, instead of sneaking and creating a confusing tension for themselves and their families.
But I think the most interesting question we must ask is - Does Briony actually atone for what she did to Cecelia and Robbie? Are we as the viewer satisfied with that resolution?
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I saw him. I saw him with my own eyes.
I love you. I'll wait for you. Come back. Come back to me.
The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.
There is no Briony.
I am very, very sorry for the terrible distress that I have caused you. I am very, very sorry... - Write it all down. Just the truth. No rhymes, no embellishments, no adjectives. And then leave us be. I will. I promise.
So, my sister and Robbie were never able to have the time together they both so longed for... and deserved. Which ever since I've... ever since I've always felt I prevented. But what sense of hope or satisfaction could a reader derive from an ending like that? So in the book, I wanted to give Robbie and Cecilia what they lost out on in life. I'd like to think this isn't weakness or... evasion... but a final act of kindness. I gave them their happiness.
Robbie... - Cecilia...
I love you... - I love you.
