HoopTober 8: Mosquito Takes Mandragon

Movie 60
4th of 4 films from your birth year

There's one of two possibilities. Either the satire in this thing was too subtle for me and it went whistling over my head, or it's really as blunt and obvious as I thought. This seems to have engendered a lot of love from people whose opinions I respect, so option 1 is a distinct possibility.

It just lost me a bit. I mean, when the young guy on the dodgem cars insults the elderly couple, I can see what point it's making. But what does it mean when that guy just runs up and punches him in the head? And what exactly is being satirised when that mob chases after him? I mean, I know there are violent crimes against the elderly, but I thought this film was pointing out how mainstream society marginalises older people, and although that's a worthy subject, I just don't think it does it via overt violence like that.

What point is Romero making with this film? Maybe I'm just missing the necessary context. My complaints about the satire being a bit blunt at times would be somewhat moot if this is actually an educational film for ... I don't know,,, teens or something? The prologue and epilogue do seem to suggest that but, is that what it is? I'm so confused!!! LOL

Romero was in the midst of his cinema verite passion at this point, with a similar chaotic, handheld energy to the camerawork similar to that deployed in Martin, but at times it got a little too much for me. I was getting a headache from all the people walking past right in front of the camera. It's supposed to be disorienting and distracting, I think, but it was also a little irritating.

This is definitely an interesting little curio, though. And the lead performance from Lincoln Maazel is quite powerful, especially in the scene with the little girl and the chicken (not as bonkers as it sounds) - even if he is a little stagey at times.

My over-riding response is mystification, though, unfortunately. Definitely worth a look, if only so you can come back and explain it to me.