This Very Fine-Looking Nonsense

"More likely, it's because the film is obtuse and its 'political message' heavy-handed and juvenile. But I'll be damned if it isn't a pretty mess, at that."

(Shawn Macomber, on George Lucas' first feature film, "THX-1138")

Is it really true that this film is "little known"? I know this: the thing's allure is very difficult to account for. I saw it three times in one week, in its first (1971) release. The final shot of the film is riveting: a huge long-lens look at Man Reborn As Noble Savage Against Sun On Horizon -- the first and only view of the world above ground and outdoors in the whole thing. I was outraged, of course, for all the reasons that Macomber barely outlines. To call the political message of "THX-1138" "heavy-handed and juvenile" is to understate the obvious to the point of neglect. In its entire premise, the film takes the hand that feeds it, chops it off at the elbow, and drags it around like a Mogadishu savage.

Through it all, though, I was enormously impressed with the director's eye. "TXH-1138" was a landmark in my film experience: it looked, to me, like science-fiction grown up to the medium, beyond black & white moths menacing humanity with suspense on fishing-line, and even Kubrick's Folly ("2001: A Space Odyssey"). And it convinced me, at once, that Robert Duvall had the big-time goods.

I think I might have to spring for the director's cut DVD. It's been a long time since I've seen it, but I would expect it to look as fresh and clean as it did over thirty years ago, even if "the message" is utter tripe.

Now That's 'Deconstruction'

The notorious lunatic -- just eaten up with a spoon everywhere that neurotic fashion ruled the intellect -- Jacques Derrida is fuckin'-aye dead.

There. That's clear enough.