Zachary FenellSunday Classics: Legend
February 15th 2009 18:51
Legend, 1985
When Legend came out in 1985, it was the equivalent of every fairy tale we ever loved being brought to the screen with all of the dangerous parts intact. Fairy tales that can't hurt us also can't teach us a lesson. If you know that there is no chance of the hero dying, what have you got to lose? Only through the threat of real and visceral loss do tales like Vasalisa or Hansel and Gretel make a difference to us. It is the real (hidden) meaning of the term "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained".
When Ridley Scott (of Blade Runner fame) pulled this one out, it turned the world on its ear a bit. We'd had fantasies and fairy tales lobbed at us before, but they were never as oblivious to their own story as this was. This was what really made it really resonate, The characters existed in a bubble, just like the folk tales that have formed our cultures for millennia.
What happens in folk tales is this: a character of innocence is taken through trials that illustrates both the strength of that innocence and the evolution of growth. Jack and Lili both are moved to greater and deeper parts of themselves, calling on their own true natures to fight for what is important and to sacrifice that which comes from desire. Along the way, the primal nature of the world - both righteous and selfish - conspires to assist them, though always with an eye on the personal motivations of those primal things.
Legend has been called a love story, and while love is a pivotal element, I beg to differ. It is an examination of reality in a stripped down yet rich lens, an illustration of real response to the crises that young innocence (and even naivety) faces. If you take this story and apply it in another setting, it still holds true: Jack is not so much fighting to be with Lili (the codependent aspect of relationships) as he's fighting to help her real-ize her own responsibility and worth as a chooser, a person who is in a position to decide her own fate in the context of one whose actions directly affects others profoundly.
It's not perfect, and it shouldn't be. It is, in my opinion, one of the greatest movies that Tom Cruise and/or Tim Curry ever did. Their performances took us out of the awareness of who they were and let us really experience their roles as something primal. That is as rare as it is precious.
4.5 Stars
| 127 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
Tom Cruise looks like an overgrown pixie, but the rest of the film was great. I've always loved the dark tones.
The make-up job on Tim Curry's horned 'Darkness' is one of the best ever. And he was brilliant as usual in the role.
Good to see you give it some due credit.
MM
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Yep I have to agree, this one gets dragged otu from the back fo the cupboard at our place, once a year and ranks up there (for me) with Krull ~ another classic.
Lets face it, it was about the best thing Tom Cruise ever did *chuckle*
Lilla ...
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Is particularly brilliant. Legend is just a lovely romp, like Labrynth, and its just meant to be enjoyed, I believe.
Well done Lilla for mentioning 'Krull'. Still gotta get that one....
As for Tom Cruise, well. I thought his acting ability was all gone, but he did so well in Tropic Thunder. It took me awhile to realize it was him. It was a fantastic performance.
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
I have not seen this movie for years but I don't mind Tom Cruise - even though he is a little hit and miss for me. I particularly liked him in Tropic Thunder and Magnolia.
Comment by Tania Crivellenti
Written Life
The Dancing Bug
Aussie Folly
Delirios Australianos
Comment by Tommie Sandlin
Reality TV Obsession
Tinseltown Gossip
Good Eats