Shmi's Funeral-Lucas's BEST EVER WRITING??????

Seriously, look at the words during this pivotal scene:

Cleig Lars:

"I know wherever YOU are, it's become a better place.
YOU were the most loving partner a man could ever have. Goodbye my darling wife, and THANKYOU."

Anakin Skywalker:

"I wasn't strong enough to save you Mom. I wasn't strong enough. But I promise, I won't fail you again. I miss you, so Much."

Right there in those two speech's, you have Anakin's flaw's layed before you. His thoughts are for HIMSELF, what HE'S feeling, HIS guilt, HIS grief.
Clieg's thoughts are in total contrast to Anakin's, all along Clieg's speech is about Shmi.

So, by contrasting the two characters, you can see the selfishness and thoughtlessness that's driving Anakin. The desire to be as strong as possible and the greed that goes along with that. Also, his promise will probably play heavily in events, during Episode III.

I know Lucas frequently get's ripped apart for his dialouge, and we don't know what lines Lucas wrote and what Johnathan Hales wrote, but this scene was beautifully written, and perhaps Lucas's best ever writing-Or at least one of the best example's.

 

Indeed it was one of the most emotional and powerful scenes in the movie. I, however, had never taken the time to realize or notice the direct contrast between the subjects of Cleig's and Anakin's speeches. Nice catch!





Mace Windy,
too windy for words!

 

you can see the selfishness and thoughtlessness that's driving Anakin. The desire to be as strong as possible and the greed that goes along with that. Also, his promise will probably play heavily in events, during Episode III.


Nice pick up, I never really noticed that until just now. I definetly believe GL did this for a reason and is hinting to events that will happen in Ep. III. Nice Job.

 

I do think it's a well-written scene.
I also didn't pick up on the subtle difference between Clieg and Anakin's speeches until Lucas himself pointed it out on the DVD commentary.

 

You make several valid points with a great analysis of the scenes and the dialogue itself. I agree with several of your points. When first viewing this scene, I could feel the anguish, failure, and grief in Anakin expressed through the well written dialogue, and more so in the subtle acting of Hayden Christensen. I only hope that this promise is mentioned in some capacity by Anakin in Episode III, it would only add to the weight of this scene in contrast to the entire PT.

 

I agree, I hope either Anakin mentions it to Obi-Wan or Obi-Wan finds out in some way. Or maybe even Palpatine mentions it.

It would just be a nice little nod, though not essential I admit.

 

In addition to the writing, I also have to say, I believe that this was Hayden's best piece of acting in the entire picture.





Mace Windy,
too windy for words!

 

I may have to challenge you there, Mace. An argument could be made in favor of the Confession scene being Hayden's best piece of acting in the film, if not merely for the stunning expression of his emotions in that scene. The Funeral scene is more subtle, but as equally powerful, but in a different form. Either way, they are both well acted and it basically boils down to matter of opinion.

 

In my experience, I've found that performing a subtle scene is much more difficult than a sheer "anger" scene. It is for that reason that I'd place Hayden's acting during the funeral scene just one peg higher than during the Tusken confession.





Mace Windy,
too windy for words!

 

G-Fett

Great pickup! If you think along those lines, even his words at her death are chilling "I'm here Mom... Everything will be fine now...you'll be alright."

Again, while his mother is pouring her heart out to him, telling him how proud she is of him and how much she loves him, all that Anakin can think of to say are words along the lines that his mere presence should be enough to save her from dying.

He doesn't return the words "I love you too, Mom" which would be the words that a dying mother would want to hear.

At the same time, although Anakin doesn't say the words, his eyes, and his simple gestures, like kissing and massaging her dirty hand show his intense love for his mother. His sweet, small smile in the face her looming death shows that he's aware her time is limited.

But there is a definite difference in how they both act and react to each other at her death.

 

I noticed this after a few viewings, and it is really well done.

I have to say though, I don't understand why people accuse Lucas of not being able to write in the first place. I have yet to witness any dialogue in the films that didn't make sense, was overly verbose, or got in the way of the pacing in any way. It's always short, to the point, and usually multi layered such as the funeral speech brought up here. On one level it shows 2 guys greiving over the same person, but on the more analytical level, it illustrates both character's primary and most important difference.

 

Great scene.

 

In my experience, I've found that performing a subtle scene is much more difficult than a sheer "anger" scene. It is for that reason that I'd place Hayden's acting during the funeral scene just one peg higher than during the Tusken confession.

The most talented actors are the ones who can portray that power and presence that are easily displayed in the overtly emotional scenes, and into the less vocal, subtle ones.

 

I had this pointed out to me a while back under different circumstances. I think it's VERY well-done. Great find.



Rick McCallum loves you!

 

Its mentioned on the text commentary of the DVD.

 

I'm pleased that so many people agree with me.

And yes, Hayden did play it too perfection. Frankly, I don't know where people get their criticism's of Hayden from....

Heck I don't know where they get their criticism's of this wonderful movie from....

But that's for a differant thread.

 

Windy - it's the hitch in Hayden's voice with the line "I miss you...so much" that I love in the funeral scene.

 

It's a very nice scene, and I didn't quite pick up the contrast until you mentioned it. It is very well written- but its too short, and I don't like how Artoo kind of interrupted the funeral.

 

I think the best written and acting scene of the movie was the garage scene. Hayden was great.

 

Hayden's great in both those scenes, but I think the funeral is maybe a bit sadder. Cligg is obviously a decent and caring guy. A shame his life had to turn so tragic.

 

I love that scene, it's one of the most powerful
and personal scenes in all of STAR WARS and it's
beautifully and intelligently written.

 

"Right there in those two speech's, you have Anakin's flaw's layed before you. His thoughts are for HIMSELF, what HE'S feeling, HIS guilt, HIS grief.
Clieg's thoughts are in total contrast to Anakin's, all along Clieg's speech is about Shmi."

Outstanding observation! That is probably my favorite scene in AOTC, btw. Tatooine is easily the standout section of that film. Compare it to the scenes on Naboo. Yikes!

 

Well, I've said this before, IMO, the Tatooine sequence isn't just the heart of Episode II, it's also the ehart of teh saga. It's the point on no return, kind of. It's the moment where Anakin's makes that first step towards the dark side, and will never be able to go back. The acting from beginning to end during these sequence is second to none.

BTW, I think the length of the funeral is perfect. R2's interuption of the scene is just right. If it had gone on any longer it would have dragged, and really, both Cleig and Anakin have enough time to give their short speech's, and get the point over, of how Anakin's thoughts are only for himself. If the funeral had been any longer, the speech's would have had to be longer, which would have meant the point of how Anakin is thinking only of himself, would have seemed forced. As it is it's a very subtle point, that probably works on a more subliminal level, rather than being too obvious.

That's better, I think.

 

I liked Anakins lines in that scene. Not so much cleig Lars though.

 

I agree about the greatness of this Scene. I am one of those people that has never had a problem with GL's writing. The one thing I don't agree with you on, is that you think Anakin didn't care about his Mom, and that somehow Clieg Lars cared more. How could you say that? At least Anakin went to save his mom, while Cleig Lars tried to stop him. If Anakin was only selfish, he wouldn't have went to Tatooine to try and save his Mom in the first place. Both Anakin and Clieg cared about Shmi. The difference is that Anakin is obsessed, with having the power to stop those that he loves from dying, and not accepting that he is not all powerfull.