Troy
© James C. Hess
'It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out where the strong man stumbled, or where a doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, and who comes up short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause. The man who at best knows the triumph of high achievement and who at worst, if he fails, fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who never knew victory or defeat.' - Teddy Roosevelt.
In the days, weeks, and immediate months prior to the theatrical release of the action epic flick "Troy" much was made of the various elements that go to make up the effort: The special effects, the music, the special effects, the cinematography, the special effects, the acting, the special effects, the directing, the special effects, and a guy named 'Pitt', who, it would seem, by way of sycophants and snake-oil salesmen-types ready with the hyperbole and bravado, is the star:
How it is dear Brad is now forty--and doesn't he show his age? How it was Brad fell down and sprained this or bruised that. How it is that Brad does well to mimic the Bard, which is rather odd, won't you agree, since this work has nothing whatsoever to do with Shakespeare's work. Well, it does, but it doesn't, and since we are not really gossiping about that, but dear, dear Brad, do pay attention.
I will be among the first to admit that acting by the likes of Brad Pitt does little for me. Ever since I saw him in a melodramatic fishing movie and realized that he is nothing more than a younger version of Robert Redford, I cannot help but to be prejudicial against him, and whatever talent he may have.
But set that aside for the time being and instead focus on what it is he does, again and again: He takes chances. He demonstrates great enthusiasms, devotions, and daring in his acting efforts, and in doing so establishes a place for himself in the history of American cinema unmatched, with proof of this assertion being the film "Troy".
Here is a film that should be based on the epic poem "The Iliad" by Homer. Here is a film that should showcase the Greek gods of ancient days old and long gone. Here is a film that should be about heroes and matters heroic.
