Oppenheimer’s “The End” is the defining musical of our era. Future philosophers will be confused when we talk about the “allegory of the cave” – that’s how big of an impact this film will have on culture. Only seasoned Cassavetes and Cop Rock fans will appreciate Oppenheimer’s artistic pacing. The pacing itself is a character. Time moves however Oppenheimer wants in the cave, and his characters and audience can only move through meaningless rituals and the meaningful but untouchable past. Why would you wear a watch in a place where time and productivity don’t exist? As the characters’ sins come to light they ask for penance on themselves and damnation or absolution for others, as if they’re living in purgatory as well as passing judgment from above. Oppenheimer illustrates this with an especially poignant dance number in the second last scene. This is the best film I’ve ever seen at TIFF, although some Philistines will continue to hate. One can only pray that they learn to see past the light and shadows and see this film for what it is.
Ben G is an arts critic, technologist and satirist who uses irony to analyze our rapidly changing relationship to technology and to each other.
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