I thought when I was younger the events in the movie were not a dream and actually happened. I now think it may have been a dream. Everything that happens to Quaid to make him believe it is real was intentional. He must be convinced it is not a dream to enjoy the experience. Maybe the reason why Recall had problems is because people had a hard time with reality afterwards. It was too real to them. I could be wrong though.
That is the genius of Total Recall. It is about the nature of reality and it draws the line between fantasy and reality and it keeps you guessing and at the end of the movie, it is left to us the audience if it is real or fantasy.
No doubt a great cinematic achiecvement. Leaving apart the substance, the film has great music, cinematography, acting and editing. For all that, it has a tragic flaw in the narrative in its embrace of socialism. The film presents this idea of socialism as the solution to the human condition and, despite Kaji’s disappointment with how it’s implemented by the Soviets, Kobayashi never questions the underlying premise that there’s something called “socialism” - in opposition to Japanese fascism - that will allow men to flourish. Today we know that is nonsense - socialism itself is fatally flawed. The film, though still very much worht seeing, then becomes something of its time rather than timeless. Its mistake about socialism may even deepen the resonance of the film’s main narrative drive in the final part - the solution to the human condition is as elusive and illusory as Kaji’s chances of reuniting with Michiko.
When their trying to put him in the simulation they tell you that they haven't even put him in yet and that someone has been messing with Quiads head so it wasn't a dream.
You came to the same conclusion I did: The third person perspectives we see, where Quaid isn't even one of the characters on screen, prove that it's not a dream.
The key is Melina...she appears on the screen at Rekall right before Quaid passes out. The implication is that Melina isn't real, she's a creation of Rekall for Quaid's ego trip.
Personally I am so fed up with westerners' obsession with deconstruncting almost everything. This film is good and void of the gay propaganda ,that we have grown so used to. A gem of a movie.
The movie purposely has textual evidence for and against it being a dream/implanted memory, there are a few red herrings, and it’s left ambiguous on purpose, that’s what makes it great. If you want to believe it’s real, then he is Houser when he screams “you blew my cover” not Quaid at that moment, he had total recall of who he was, then they knocked him out and wiped his memories again returning him to Quaid
Back in 1982, one Sunday evening I caught an intriguing-looking movie on tv. It was on BBC2 (back in the day when British terrestrial telly quite regularly showed arthouse films). I was 11. The picture was _Pauline à la plage._ I was hooked, there and then. 30 years later, Rohmer is still my all-time favourite director. I calculated the other day that I have seen all of his films at least 50 times for each one. Some _(Conte d'été,_ _Le Beau mariage,_ _La femme de l'aviateur)_ I must’ve watched about 100 times. My all-time favourite, _Le rayon vert,_ probably about 150 times. All told, I calculated I have spent about 5,000 hours of my life immersed in Rohmer’s world, and not a minute of those hours was wasted; even on the 33rd viewing of whichever film it might be, for with Rohmer, he is inexhaustible! What you watched at 21, you watch again at 35, or 50, or 70, but because you are changed, more layers will be waiting to be uncovered that weren’t apparent on previous viewings. Meaning is constantly waiting to be uncovered in Rohmer. It’s never exhausted. Anyway, for those who are still interested, here is my personal ranking of Rohmer’s oeuvre. The choice here is mainly based on sheer enjoyment/personal meaning and not necessarily on any given film’s technical achievement. Those who tell you, like Harry Moseby in _Night Moves,_ that watching a Rohmer movie is like ‘watching paint dry’ are lying. I’d rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full-frontal lobotomy, and Rohmer’s vintage is very productive indeed. 1. _Le rayon vert_ (1986) 2. _Conte d'été_ (1996) 3. _La femme de l'aviateur_ (1981) 4. _Le beau mariage_ (1982) 5. _Pauline à la plage_ (1982) 6. _L'amour l'après-midi_ (1972) 7. _Conte d'automne_ (1996) 8. _Les nuits de la pleine lune_ (1984) 9. _Conte d'hiver_ (1992) 10. _Le genou de Claire_ (1970) 11. _La collectionneuse_ (1967) 12. _L'ami de mon amie_ (1987) 13. _Ma nuit chez Maud_ (1969) 14. _Le signe du lion_ (1962) 15. _Conte de printemps_ (1990) 16. _Quatre aventures de Reinette et Mirabelle_ (1987) 17. _L'arbre, le maire et la médiathèque_ (1993) 18. _Les rendez-vous de Paris_ (1995) 19. _La carrière de Suzanne_ (1963) 20. _La boulangère de Monceau_ (1963) 21. _Triple agent_ (2004) 22. _Die Marquise von O_ (1976) 23. _Perceval le Gallois_ (1978) 24. _L'Anglaise et le duc_ (2001) 25. _Les amours d'Astrée et de Céladon_ (2007)
I couldn´t agree more. These films of Eric Rohmer are reflections of the complexity of friendship, love, and human nature. We are individuals with our own dreams and desires, yet at the same time, we are social beings bound by moral principles and the expectations of others. Moreover, our differences often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts even when our intentions are morally impeccable. After watching a film by Eric Rohmer, you are left with the satisfying feeling of not only having been entertained but also having learned something about life and gained a bit of wisdom. I fell in love with these films as a teenager when I saw "La femme de l'aviateur" in the early 1980's. They evoke an emotional resonance within me similar to when I listen to Chopins music, study Renoirs paintings or read Milan Kunderas books. It is difficult to rank them but in general I can say that your favourites are also mine. These cinematic gems deserve attention so that a new generation discovers them. Hence, a big THANK YOU to The Cinematheque for this video essay!
@@DickeFix just watched my first film from rohmer a couple days ago - a summer's tale. already an all time favorite. the themes you mentioned definitely show up in that film, and i look forward to seeing how they play out in rohmer's other films. this is a small, great write up that has me even more excited to see the rest of his filmography.
Dream. During the red pill scene, Edgemar accurately reveals the rest of the program. I'm always amazed Quaid doesn't think back and go-huh?!! This is EXACTLY the way Edgemar said it would end!! ( Brain death ensues)
How about, the first Mars scene was a dream? From quarry to Recall was in the moment (not a dream). Recall earned a satisfying 300 credits. Quaid wasn’t happy with his marriage.
This is an excellent essay, I really enjoy the way you present your ideas. Glad I found your channel! Leone was highly skilled and a brilliant mind for the world of cinema and the world as a whole. I think for a director to have less than 10 films yet several of them being timeless classics says so much about his skill behind the lens. I think Once Upon a Time in the West is a masterpiece, as well as The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in America. Each of those films stand out to me as unparalleled works of art. Anyway, thanks for this video, I really admire your work!
I'm glad I live in a world where a guy can make a stupid video like this, and by stupid I mean absolutely idiotic, completely missing even the basic arguement, and whats the result? 0 views and a dead channel. Like, that makes me happy. Theres some hope for this world.
Blue sky on Mars... The remake it's about the tattoo,in the deleted scene. You can see Quaid/Farrel reading the Ian Fleming's novel "The spy who loved me" , meanwhile traveling the earth
hes not on mars. in the recall facility the guy making his memories states " oh the skys blue thats weird ." He also states they will be so real he wont be able to tell the real ones from the fake ones. diaglog is very important. none of which you used to make your point. the point of view thing is just plain dumb.
The images are so striking that i keep forgetting the film isn't in color, my mind just colors everything every time this comes to memory since i've watched it. Possibly my favourite film of all time.
