To me, the writing of a film is the most important part. Without it the directors would have nothing to direct and the actors nothing to act. One line in cinema can dictate so much feeling that it's hard to convey in one article. For example, my favourite film is Apocalypse Now. There is one quote in the movie that sticks in my mind:

"I worry that my son might not understand what I've tried to be. And if I were to be killed, Willard, I would want someone to go to my home and tell my son everything. Everything I did, everything you saw, because there's nothing that I detest more than the stench of lies. And if you understand me Willard, you will do this for me."

This is Marlon Brando's character talking to Martin Sheen's. Throughout the film we get a commentary on Willard's (Sheen's) state of mind. To be able to kill Kurtz (Brando) he creates the image of a killer in his mind but, when Kurtz says this it displays such humanity and basic instincts that you have to stop and think who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. So much is blurred - just like the war itself.

On a lighter note I look to the movie High Fidelity starring John Cusack as the recently dumped record store owner. The quote that stood out here is:

"What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?"

It almost completely explains the apathetic youth culture the world is plagued with today. If you go on any sites such as MySpace or Blogger there are thousands upon thousands of teenagers desperate for life to 'begin', desperate to get away from monotony and desperate to break to mold. However, they all have one thing in common - an uncompromising love of music. With the emergence of the sub-culture of emo I think the 'kids' are starting to realise the music is miserable because they are.

Finally, I look to the movie Jarhead. Having read the book as well as watching the film the greater meaning of the quote is expressed: "That's Vietnam music... can't we get our own music?" - Anthony Swofford, in the movie. This is after helicopters fly over playing 'Break on Through' by the Doors. In the book it is a throw away line that they are in fact on the other side and no, things aren't any better. It is a very powerful piece of wording using political and social culture to put into context the progression of modern warfare.

Learn more about this author, Erin Royle.
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