by Sheri Partain

Created on: December 17, 2009

“What happens in the meadow at dusk?” In I heart Huckabees there are two conflicting ideas about the perception of reality that interconnect together in the end. Does nothing happen in the meadow? Or everything? These contradictory concepts are Nihilism – the idea that nothing matters - and Existentialism which proclaims that everything matters. Through comedy, I heart Huckabees illustrates the character’s everyday perceptions of reality and struggle with identity using these two concepts.

In the opening scene, the camera angle widens bringing into view the main character Albert Markovski (Schwartzman). We find Albert, an environmental activist, sitting alone on a rock talking and cussing. Albert is perturbed about life and his existence, feeling that he is losing control in what defines him.  His role as the leader of his environmental coalition is threatened by Brand Stand (Law), a corporate devotee. He seeks help from Vivian (Tomlin) and Bernard (Hoffman) Jaffe, two existential detectives. Albert has chosen existentialism for answers to what he calls “his coincidence” of seeing the same “tall African dude” three times.

Existentialism is illustrated by the film’s quirky characters and bizarre quotes, such as Bernard’s use of a plain white sheet to explain the interconnectivity of life. He says, “Say this blanket represents all the matter and energy in the universe, okay? This is me, this is you, and over here, this is the Eiffel Tower, right, it's Paris!” Albert deduces “Everything is the same even if it’s different”.

Nihilism is established in the story by Tommy Corn (Wahlberg) who we know as Albert’s “other.” Tommy is confused with Bernard’s blanket theory as he struggles with both his identity and his relation to the cosmos. He introduces Albert to the opposing philosophy of Caterine Vauban (Huppert). Caterine champions the concept of Nihilism – that nothing matters and nothing is connected.  This is best exemplified in her statement, “If this world is temporary, identity is an illusion, then everything is meaningless.”

In the end Albert becomes content with himself when he witnesses his antagonist feeling the same disappointment and anguish he has experienced. This is the moment when the two philosophies intersect. Albert sees that he is no different than Brad. He feels liberated from Brad and at the same time closer to him. The movie continues and although Albert experiences a startling moment of clarity, the viewer, unfortunately does not share his experience.  Although I heart Huckabees is refreshing and unlike many Hollywood movies, it is one that you may have to see twice to really understand the connections. Or maybe that is the point?

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