Benedict Cumberbatch shines in the 'Third Star'
For me, movies are not a mere pastime. It is a ride-along, a journey taken together, living life vicariously. Sometimes the line between the real and the reel gets blurred. Sometimes I find it extremely difficult to detach myself from the story and the characters and move on.
These are the movies that overwhelm me; they encompass my senses and influence my thoughts and feelings. At times like these movie watching becomes an enlightening and enriching experience; opening the heart and soul to immense beauty.
Of the myriad of such cinematic treasures, today I shall talk about one such film which, in a heartbreaking way, brings alive the immortal Shelley quote ' Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thoughts." It is a British film called the 'Third Star', starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the pivotal character James. The enigmatic title is explained in the film when a conversation between the group of friends reveal that James has always misquoted the Peter Pan line "Second star to the right and straight on till morning."
It was the undeniable Sherlock-effect that made me look up the internet for other works of the magnetic Mr.Cumberbatch, and this is how I chanced upon this movie. If Benedict's Sherlock is a 'sociopath' with scant regard to emotions, his portrayal of James will tug at your heart strings like no other. It only goes on to show the incredible acting prowess, the astonishing range that Benedict possesses.
'Third Star' is about the final trip that the terminally-ill cancer sufferer James takes with his closest friends. He has been ill for long and has now painfully reconciled to the fact that the end is near. This realization weighs heavy on his family and he feels cloistered and suffocated in that heavy atmosphere. He wishes to escape to his 'favorite place on earth' Barrafundle Bay with his childhood friends. This movie is about that bittersweet journey, which transcends from being a physical journey to a deeply moving and, at times, scarring emotional voyage. Beautiful cinematography and evocative dialogue augments the pathos and poignancy of the journey.
James, excruciatingly aware of the transiency of each fleeting moment; his friends helplessly struggling with a sense of impending, irreparable loss.
At the onset of the journey, the mood is relatively carefree, with the four friends indulging in happy banter and displaying a child-like excitement to be all together again. However, as the trip progresses, the underlying gravity of the situation gradually hits them leading to conflicts and outbursts.
Our hearts break as we see a tormented James suffering from unbearable physical pain and deep emotional trauma; and struggling to hold on to that sense of calm that he had displayed earlier.
His friends, each burdened with personal crises, at times also give vent to their frustration; however they much they would like to make this trip a fond farewell to James, and an everlasting memory for themselves.
Many moments in this film stand out due to their sheer power and impact. The initial stages of the journey are replete with fun and friendly, teasing banter. The gang getting into a fistfight at a pub, and helping James to join in too by pushing his wheelchair into the melee as he gleefully brandishes his walking stick like a knight's sword!
Then as the enormity of the situation sinks in, the film gifts us with some lasting images. James struggling with crippling pain as his medicine case is lost while shifting tents. His friends carrying him on their shoulders as he is left immobile.
My favorite moment is perhaps the fireworks scene. Knowing his love for fireworks, his friends have brought along some for a special treat. Heartbreaking is the moment when James watches the fireworks burst into a thousand dazzles in the night sky, an ethereal smile lighting up his tender face.
Image via 25.media.tumblr.com
The ending of the film is as hauntingly beautiful as it is emotionally traumatic. James is finally free of all pain and torment and in his special place; as his friends also get a semblance of closure.
The film ends with a voice-over of James - "So I raise a morphine toast to you. And, should you remember that it's the anniversary of my birth, remember that you were loved by me and you made my life a happy one. And there's no tragedy in that."
Image courtesy arisprite.tumblr.com
I loved the 'Third Star'. I laughed and cried with James, Bill, Davy and Miles. It is not a preachy film, dispensing life lessons or worldly wisdom. Instead it offers a vignette of a very intimate journey that four life-long friends embark upon, it is a heartwarming yet heartbreaking tale of life, love, friendship and loss. The images will stay with me for a very long time.
And I have become a bigger fan of Benedict Cumberbatch than I ever was. No matter how much more irresistibly attractive he gets as Sherlock, to me his moving, endearing portrayal of James will always be his crowning glory.
It was the undeniable Sherlock-effect that made me look up the internet for other works of the magnetic Mr.Cumberbatch, and this is how I chanced upon this movie. If Benedict's Sherlock is a 'sociopath' with scant regard to emotions, his portrayal of James will tug at your heart strings like no other. It only goes on to show the incredible acting prowess, the astonishing range that Benedict possesses.
'Third Star' is about the final trip that the terminally-ill cancer sufferer James takes with his closest friends. He has been ill for long and has now painfully reconciled to the fact that the end is near. This realization weighs heavy on his family and he feels cloistered and suffocated in that heavy atmosphere. He wishes to escape to his 'favorite place on earth' Barrafundle Bay with his childhood friends. This movie is about that bittersweet journey, which transcends from being a physical journey to a deeply moving and, at times, scarring emotional voyage. Beautiful cinematography and evocative dialogue augments the pathos and poignancy of the journey.
James, excruciatingly aware of the transiency of each fleeting moment; his friends helplessly struggling with a sense of impending, irreparable loss.
At the onset of the journey, the mood is relatively carefree, with the four friends indulging in happy banter and displaying a child-like excitement to be all together again. However, as the trip progresses, the underlying gravity of the situation gradually hits them leading to conflicts and outbursts.
Our hearts break as we see a tormented James suffering from unbearable physical pain and deep emotional trauma; and struggling to hold on to that sense of calm that he had displayed earlier.
His friends, each burdened with personal crises, at times also give vent to their frustration; however they much they would like to make this trip a fond farewell to James, and an everlasting memory for themselves.
Many moments in this film stand out due to their sheer power and impact. The initial stages of the journey are replete with fun and friendly, teasing banter. The gang getting into a fistfight at a pub, and helping James to join in too by pushing his wheelchair into the melee as he gleefully brandishes his walking stick like a knight's sword!
Then as the enormity of the situation sinks in, the film gifts us with some lasting images. James struggling with crippling pain as his medicine case is lost while shifting tents. His friends carrying him on their shoulders as he is left immobile.
My favorite moment is perhaps the fireworks scene. Knowing his love for fireworks, his friends have brought along some for a special treat. Heartbreaking is the moment when James watches the fireworks burst into a thousand dazzles in the night sky, an ethereal smile lighting up his tender face.
The ending of the film is as hauntingly beautiful as it is emotionally traumatic. James is finally free of all pain and torment and in his special place; as his friends also get a semblance of closure.
The film ends with a voice-over of James - "So I raise a morphine toast to you. And, should you remember that it's the anniversary of my birth, remember that you were loved by me and you made my life a happy one. And there's no tragedy in that."
I loved the 'Third Star'. I laughed and cried with James, Bill, Davy and Miles. It is not a preachy film, dispensing life lessons or worldly wisdom. Instead it offers a vignette of a very intimate journey that four life-long friends embark upon, it is a heartwarming yet heartbreaking tale of life, love, friendship and loss. The images will stay with me for a very long time.
And I have become a bigger fan of Benedict Cumberbatch than I ever was. No matter how much more irresistibly attractive he gets as Sherlock, to me his moving, endearing portrayal of James will always be his crowning glory.
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