Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 71: Independent Film

Since the emergence of "Pulp Fiction" in 1994, independent films have truly entered the mainstream, becoming an important force in the film industry that cannot be ignored.

In an era where major studios are becoming increasingly formulaic and lacking in innovative spirit, the boldness and solidness of independent films have gradually become the driving force behind the continuous progress of cinema. From "American Beauty" to "Brokeback Mountain" to "No Country for Old Men," independent films have been receiving increasing attention, with almost every year witnessing a batch of outstanding independent works that garner praise from academia and critics alike, such as last year's "The Hurt Locker."

"Buried" is a typical independent film.

The story of the film is very simple, telling the tale of an American contractor who, while working in Iraq, is attacked and wakes up to find himself buried alive in a coffin. How will he manage to survive?

The boldest aspect of the film lies in the fact that the entire production takes place inside the coffin, without any involvement of other visuals. From the beginning in the coffin to the end, the world outside the coffin and the relationships between characters are entirely portrayed through dialogue, placing all the weight on the actors.

This not only imposes almost stringent demands on the script's dialogue — filling the limited space with information, depicting events both inside and outside the coffin simultaneously, portraying the story before and after entering the coffin, and reconstructing the original background of the characters' relationships under dire circumstances are all challenges — but also presents an incredible test for the actors. In extreme peril, survival is the only instinct, yet the actors must display the full range of emotions, immersing the audience in the confined and enclosed space, avoiding the boredom caused by prolonged monotonous scenes, and overcoming the tedious repetition resulting from limited camera angles.

In fact, there are quite a few works that tell stories through a one-person show, but truly featuring only one actor throughout, as in "Buried," is rare. This undoubtedly presents a daunting challenge, the magnitude of which is difficult to imagine.

Similar in theme, "127 Hours" is also a one-man show, but its approach is somewhat opportunistic. Directed by Danny Boyle, the film focuses on the near-death experience of Aron Ralston. While hiking, Aron falls into a remote canyon, where a boulder pins his arm, leaving him stranded for five days, or 127 hours, until he eventually frees himself by amputating his own arm.

However, Danny adds a lot of backstory and aftermath to the film, not only depicting Aron's preparations before setting off and the joyful encounter with a companion during the hike, but also narrating the rescue and hope after achieving self-redemption, and using flashbacks to review Aron's life's struggles.

It can be said that this is indeed a one-man show, but one with the participation of many. "Buried," on the other hand, concentrates solely on the struggle and agony on the brink of death, emphasizing the emotional details magnified to the extreme in a confined space, with suspense and fear pervading throughout. This is undoubtedly a major breakthrough for experimental films but slightly lacks depth in terms of ideological exploration.

It can be understood that "127 Hours" is a film made for awards season, while "Buried" is a film the director made to explore new territory. There was a time when Danny Boyle displayed sharpness and fierceness in "Trainspotting," but that seems to have gradually faded as he moved from independent to mainstream cinema. "Buried," however, truly demonstrates the sharpness and boldness of independent cinema.

The treatment received by both films at the end-of-year award ceremonies illustrates this point. "Buried" was almost completely ignored, receiving no nominations, let alone awards, while "127 Hours" was highly praised, garnering numerous nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.

Of course, a significant part of this is also due to the male lead in "Buried," Ryan Reynolds.

This Canadian heartthrob actor is mostly known for his handsome appearance, with works like "The Proposal," "Green Lantern," and "Deadpool" earning him a place in Hollywood. Due to his striking looks, people often tend to overlook the effort he puts into his performances, with many even considering him expressionless.

However, Ryan actually earned quite a bit of praise early in his career for his performances. Films like "Buried" and "The Voices" showcase his brilliant acting — sometimes cute, sometimes humorous, sometimes sensual, but always with a touch of madness and vulnerability hidden beneath the surface. Although he may not be a top-tier actor, he certainly has his strengths when it comes to suitable roles.

"Buried" is one such work.

In "Buried," Ryan authentically portrays the confusion, struggle, and pain that humans experience in dire situations, gripping the audience with complex and fragile emotions, allowing them to empathize deeply. Ryan did an excellent job, becoming the most crucial piece in the puzzle of "Buried."

However, Ryan's performance falls short of being astonishing. If placed in "127 Hours," it might have been enough, as that film included numerous flashbacks and segments to complement the character's image, providing a more direct experience of the character's depth for the audience. However, "Buried" lacks these elements, causing Ryan's performance to be emotionally sufficient but lacking in extension.

To put it simply, Ryan displayed the emotions required for a thriller but did not fulfill the narrative requirements of a drama. For instance, what exactly happened between him and his wife during the phone call in the film? What does his call to his colleague imply about his usual behavior? Did his attitude towards the government officials change significantly before and after seeking help? What were the contents of his final words in the moment of crisis?

"127 Hours" completes these puzzles through flashbacks, while "Buried" relies on Ryan's performance. When he fails to reach this goal, it affects the overall quality of the film.

In Renly's view, "Buried" is not just a confined-space thriller but can also be further explored as a portrayal of the crisis in middle-class American families, the conflicts between the male protagonist and his wife, the opportunity for the male protagonist to work in Iraq, and his midlife crisis before the accident. These details influence his subsequent plea for help, especially reflecting the reactions under desperate circumstances.

Another aspect is the condemnation of capitalist bureaucracy, with the hypocrisy and shifting of responsibility within the male protagonist's company contrasting with the government departments' constant deflection and ineffectiveness. The core idea of prioritizing interests over human lives echoes the real purpose behind the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The depth of this film's meaning is far greater than imagined and offers more viewing value. However, both the director and the screenwriter of "Buried" lack experience and have to burden the entire weight on the actor. If Ryan's performance falls short of the required height and depth, the overall quality of the work will inevitably decline.

In fact, this is a typical feature of independent films. In cases where the experimental nature is particularly strong, success and failure go hand in hand.

However, for Renly, this is undoubtedly a perfect fit. This is the acting opportunity he has longed for: a chance to truly immerse himself in a performance, to challenge his own limits, to test the boundaries of his talent, and to fully showcase his acting skills!

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