Dune: Part 2 - The Prophecy Fulfilled

 

Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya). These two characters are the protagonists of Director Denis Villeneuve's sequel.

The Kwisatz Haderach Rises

"You shall die. You may see... the Beauty and the Horror!" - The Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) to her son Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as she wills him to become the Kwisatz Haderach foretold by the Bene Gesserit Prophecy

Dune: Part 2 is another truly great film from Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve. In it, he tells the second half of the story begun in 2021's Dune. As adapted from Frank Herbert's 1965 science fiction classic, this is the story of Paul Atreides's ascendancy to become a Messiah figure and Emperor of the known universe.

Part 2 opens exactly where the first film ended, with Paul and his mother the Lady Jessica traveling to Sietch Tabr, a Fremen stronghold, with Stilgar (Javier Bardem), the tribe's leader and his people. Paul and his mother are the last survivors of House Atreides, the rest of whom were killed during an ambush under cover of dark by their Harkonnen rivals. 

 

Villeneuve jumps right into the action, since all of the exposition was done in the first film. So it helps to have done your homework by reading the book and seeing the 2021 movie beforehand. Right off the bat we see some truly awesome visuals. Particularly cool is seeing the insect-like Harkonnen troops using anti-gravity boots to float up the face of a rock wall so they can avoid a Sandworm attack.

 

The opening fight scene immerses us in the struggle for control of Arrakis, the only planet in the universe that produces Spice - a substance that extends life, and one that facilitates travel between planets. The struggle is between the native Fremen, who come to embrace Paul as their leader, and the Harkonnens, led by the grotesquely corpulent Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and his nephews Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) and the psychotic Feyd Rautha (Austin Butler). Where the good guys are sand coloured and dirt covered, the bad guys are black and resemble giant bugs. Villeneuve seems to have taken a cue from the Star Wars movies here.

 

Na-Baron Feyd Rautha embraces his uncle the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen after being named
Planetary Governor of Arrakis.

 

 

The bad guys are truly sinister here. Austin Butler's Feyd Rautha is introduced to us on the polluted Harkonnen homeworld of Giedi Prime. He is first seen preparing for a gladiator match set in a triangle-shaped arena that was shot entirely in black and white. The exploding fireworks from above look like so much ink temporarily staining an otherwise colourless sky. Butler does a damn good job at stepping into the leading villain's shoes. He achieves a neat trick by doing an uncanny impersonation of Skarsgård's accent. As the Baron's heir apparent, he is a genuinely scary villain.

Speaking of standout performances, for me the film's best character by far is the Fremen leader Stilgar. He is a true believer in the Bene Gesserit spread Prophecy of the coming of the Lisan al Gaib (Voice from the Outer World) who will lead the Fremen to a 'Green Paradise.' Set against the skeptical and non-believing Fremen, Stilgar does a wonderful job of providing comic relief in an otherwise serious film.

One bit of casting that had me wondering was Christopher Walken as the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. At one point, speaking to Baron Harkonnen, he says: "More! I need more!" To me it seems like a deliberate reference to Walken's famous SNL Cowbell sketch. Another bit of welcome humour. 

 

All of the action and decisions our hero makes lead up to the climactic final duel between Paul Atreides and Feyd Rautha, after which Paul assumes the title of Emperor and launches his Holy War across the stars. This sets the stage for a possible third film - Dune: Part 3, which would cover the material from the second of Frank Herbert's Dune novels, Dune Messiah.

Dune - A Hero's Journey

 

Denis Villeneuve's Dune is a solidly acted and well-paced adaptation of the 1965 Novel by Frank Herbert

 

Dune Tells the Story of a Hero's Journey - the Man Who Might be the Chosen One

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my Fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its' path. Where the Fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965

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Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve's Dune is actually the second time that Frank Herbert's 1965 epic Science Fiction Novel has made it to the Silver Screen. The first time was in 1984 with David Lynch sitting in the Director's chair. There was also an aborted attempt in the 1970s' by French-Chilean Director Alejandro Jodorowsky which produced a script, "the size of a phone book," in Herbert's words.

A bit of background about the Novel before I dive into a review of the movie. Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, Heir to the House Atreides. Paul's family is given control of the planet Dune, or Arrakis, by the Emperor of the Known Universe. The planet is of key strategic importance because it is where Spice is mined, a precious substance that facilitates Interstellar travel, and heightens the intellectual abilities of its' users, among many other uses.

Except this 'gift' of Arrakis is actually meant to lure the Atreides into a trap devised by their rivals, the villainous House Harkonnen. The Emperor is setting the Atreides up for a fall in order to maintain his own influence and power.

So rich in information is Herbert's book that it became used as a teaching aid in Universities for Architecture, Economics, and Political Science courses, among others. Herbert, no intellectual slouch, worked in his lifetime as an Investigative Reporter, Speechwriter and Researcher for a United States Senator, as well as a Ghostwriter before he went on to become an Author in his own right. He was also an Environmentalist who was decades ahead of his time in the measures he advocated.

Denis Villeneuve's Dune does several things right at once, which makes it a very good movie, though not without flaws. His choice of cast, selection of settings, and the amount of attention to detail in every frame make this a cut above most movie-going fare out there today. There is a lot of mood and atmosphere here, with the colours being an earthy palette of greens and browns on Arrakis, contrasting with shades of black and oily brown when the Harkonnens appear onscreen.

It is Dune's pacing, also evident in Blade Runner 2049, which makes this film stand out. The measured pace allows for details both large and small from the Novel to make it to the Silver Screen. Timothée Chalamet is an inspired choice to play Paul Atreides. Especially when we get to see him shirtless. He's a sexy and smart Hero for our time.

However, this is only Part One of the story. If Villeneuve's adaptation has a weakness, it appears in the last third of the film. This part felt to me like it was dragging on before reaching an ending. That said, I certainly hope Dune gets the Box Office revenue it needs in order for Part Two to be made. This is a solidly told story. 

I want to see how it ends.

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Sky Gilbert's New Novel 'I, Gloria Grahame' and The Little Show at Chez BonBon

This past weekend on Sunday, October 24th, I was fortunate to attend the book launch for Canadian Theatre legend Sky Gilbert's novel I, Gloria Grahame. The Novel tells the story of shy, effeminate Professor Denton Moulton. In his head Moulton is really the long dead Movie Star Gloria Grahame. I am looking forward to reading my copy, as I'm sure it's filled with Sky's sharp observational humour. 

Also on the 24th was a performance of The Little Show, a Theatre Show featuring Keith Cole, Shaun McComb and Veronica Hurnik, with Stewart Borden on Piano. The show was very funny - particularly a sketch dealing with buying stuff off of Amazon to ease the emotional pain of a breakup. The piece went from Sad to Funny and back again. Everyone involved in the production did fantastic work.

For me, it was the first time I have attended a Book Launch and Theatre Show since the Covid-19 Pandemic began. Both events were well worth it. Judging from The Little Show, Sky Gilbert has some keen insights about the slightly absurd effects this Pandemic is having on modern society.

Gore Vidal's 'The Judgment of Paris' Reminds Us What's Real in Life

A First Edition, First Printing of Gore Vidal's 1952 Novel, The Judgment of Paris.

The Judgment of Paris is a Sophisticated Re-Telling of an Old Myth

"As he looked at her by firelight, saw her smile, the silver mirror dissolved before his eyes, dispelling its ungrieved ghosts like smoke upon the night, and beyond her in the dark, a promise at the present's farthest edge, a dreaming figure stirred and opened her golden eyes." - Excerpt from Gore Vidal's The Judgment of Paris

"The choice between Knowledge and Power is false; they are the same. But when compared with Love (the third choice) something curious happens: they glint off of one another to actually reveal themselves all as part of choice four: Time. And we are sailing upon it." - A very smart Berliner

I recently moved back to Toronto following a short Pandemic induced exile in Saskatchewan. While in Saskatchewan, on a whim one day I decided to order a copy of The Judgment of Paris by Gore Vidal from ABE Books. Since books are now a buyer's market, I was able to get my hands on a First Edition, First Printing of the Novel, which pleased me immensely since it's one of my favourite reads.

The Judgment of Paris was first published in 1952, and it remains one of my all time favourites for many reasons. Gore Vidal, the Author, was an Aristocrat, prolific writer, and a member of the American political class during his time. He famously published one of the earliest Novels to feature a Transsexual Protagonist, Myra Breckinridge, in 1968. That year Vidal also, famously, debated William F. Buckley on live television during the Democratic and Republican conventions. These debates would shape the future of television news coverage in the United States.

Although Vidal's writing covered a wide variety of topics and themes, The Judgment has long been a favourite of mine because it is one of his warmest books.

The Novel is based upon the Myth of Paris and the Golden Apple. According to legend, The Judgment of Paris was a contest between three beautiful Goddesses - Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena, for the prize of a Golden Apple addressed to, "the Fairest."

Philip Warren, the book's Protagonist, takes the place of the Golden Apple here. He is 27-years-old, a recent Law School graduate, and a Veteran of the U.S. Military. It is implied that he served during the Second World War. Warren is unambiguously heterosexual, though he receives no shortage of propositions from gay men during the book's course of events.

Most importantly, for the plot's sake, Philip is someone who has yet to make up his mind as to what he will accomplish in life; what he stands for.

At evenly spaced intervals Philip is introduced to the three Goddesses. Power is represented by Regina Durham, the wife of a powerful American Politician. Her aim is to convince Philip to return to America where he can begin a brilliant political career.

Knowledge is represented by the independently wealthy Sophia Oliver, an intellectual who Philip meets while in Egypt. Her goal is to steer Philip into a life of study and contemplation.

Anna Morris, the wife of a wealthy Industrialist, represents Love. Philip's eventual choice will both define him and shape his future.

As he develops the main plot, Vidal takes the reader on a number of highly entertaining detours. We are introduced to Lord Glenellen, a British peer with more money than ideas. He gets his best moments in the Novel when introducing Philip to the Baths of Nero in Rome. As things progress Lord Glenellen jumps from one political ideology to another. He is last seen working as a key player for the Augustans, a cult in Paris, France, devoted to the worship of a Hermaphrodite. In other words, the worship of a False God.

His female counterpart Zoe Helotius is a wealthy widow whose life is a never ending circuit of official receptions and other functions. She takes pleasure in growing her Rolodex and 'collecting' other wealthy and influential people by inviting them to one of her many Villas. Miss Helotius is also played for laughs by Vidal. A variation on the worship of False Gods.

Other bit players in The Judgment of Paris are more sympathetic. Particularly the character of Jim, a blond American in Paris who makes his living as an Escort. Vidal sketches Jim's downfall to an Opium addiction with some of the most beautiful, heartbreaking prose I've read in a long time:

"How do you feel?" asked Philip, curiously. "Like I'm dreaming... a little like a dream of flying." "Better than love?" "Wouldn't you rather fly than make love?" "Any day."

There are several other supporting characters in the Novel who are as interesting as the Protagonist in their own right. Such as Mr. Willys, a morbidly obese man with a wish to die, and Fay Peabody, an acclaimed Detective Fiction Author visiting Cairo to research her next book.

The supporting cast and their side adventures really help with the Novel's pacing. The Judgment of Paris builds up to the choice Philip must make. Vidal expertly uses the technique of foreshadowing here. If you pay close attention, you know early on what our Hero's choice will be when the moment comes.

And what a moment. The climax occurs on a barge during a party hosted by Zoe Helotius. It's neatly contained in the Novel's 13th Chapter. Like all of the book, the conclusion is superbly written. And very moving, from an emotional standpoint.

If you have space in your bookshelf for one more Pandemic read, I highly recommend Gore Vidal's The Judgment of Paris.

A Single Man - Christopher Isherwood's Excellent Novel Re-Imagined

I've been horribly lazy about updating my blog. The last post was two months ago now. Time to ease back into things, and what better season for getting serious about the printed (and digital) word than winter? It doesn't actually feel like winter in Hogtown yet; the high today was 18 degrees according to Environment Canada, and it's plus 11 as I begin writing this at 10:30 p.m.

To the point of this entry — I've been engrossed lately with Christopher Isherwood's short novel A Single Man.

Contd.

It's now Thursday, Nov. 12. I couldn't finish an entire entry last night, I was so tired I had to drop. But back to my original point, Christopher Isherwood's novel turned movie — A Single Man. The first thing worth mentioning about this book is its' remarkable brevity and power. It's only 156 pages long. Isherwood's masterful grasp of the English language is apparent on every page. I don't think there's a single wasted word in those 156 pages.

A Single Man follows a day in the life of George, a transplanted Englishman who is teaching at a technical college in California. It's the early 1960s', and George is entering late middle age. He's still reeling from the death of his partner Jim, which has occurred a year previous to the events detailed in the book. Being 1962, George can't be open about his grief and loss. His world is still hostile to homosexuals, who are put in more or less the same league as Communists by the American government of the day. This makes George, understandably, slightly paranoid.

He moves through the world performing all the actions and gestures that society expects of him, but George is really just going through the motions. He is hyper self-conscious. This element of George's personality gives A Single Man much of its' insight and dark comedy. As in this passage where George is critically examining one of his students:

"George finds himself almost continually aware of Kenny's presence in the room, but this doesn't mean that he regards Kenny as an ally. Oh, no - he can never venture to take Kenny for granted. Sometimes when George makes a joke and Kenny laughs his deep, rather wild, laugh, George feels he is being laughed with. At other times, when the laugh comes a fraction of a moment late, George gets a spooky impression that Kenny is laughing not at the joke but at the whole situation: the educational system of this country, and all the economic and political and psychological forces which have brought them into this classroom together."

One over-the-top review in my pulp paperback edition says Isherwood's novel captures, "the flavour of life itself." I'm hard-pressed to disagree.

The movie version starts Colin Firth as the titular professor, Julianne Moore as his best friend, and Nicholas Hoult of the television series Skins, as Kenny, the student with the weird laugh. He plays a more important role in George's life, but I'm going to leave you with that teaser. This is an essential, must-read book you've got to discover for yourself.

You can find the trailer for Tom Ford's adaptation of A Single Man online here. The movie is being released in the U.S. on December 11. I hope it makes it to Canada the same day.