The Lighthouse: Our first reaction
Robert Pattinson, yet again, is showing why he is one of the most talented actors working today. Following on from Good Time, Pattinson delivers another breath-taking performance, this time as an apprentice to Willem Defoe’s experienced lighthouse keeper. Pattinson walks the road of ‘descent to madness' like a man who has experienced it first hand. Defoe plays mad sailor better than a mad sailor ever could, but treads the line so carefully that when the film starts to reveal its secrets, we do not know if he is mad or if he is in fact the sane one.
Two stellar performances may steer the ship here, but the construction of said ship is masterful. Robert Eggers delivers another tale of woe in a setting not familiar to modern audiences. Detaching itself from our reality lends to the film a great amount, pulling the audience into murky and unknown waters. The sense of unease and dread is ever present, and grows as the film unravels.
The aspect ratio serves not only as an homage to the time period it is set in, but a visual queue to the atmosphere of the film, which is that of feeling isolated and trapped. The 1.19:1 (square) aspect ratio presents the film trapped in a box. Combined with the framing of the shots of the two men, we begin as spectators of their isolation, only to be drawn in until we too feel like we are stuck on the island, in the lighthouse, with them. As Pattinson’s character starts to question his sanity, we too begin to question what it means to be sane, and what it means to be human.
Similar to the aspect ratio, it is clear the black and white was chosen consciously to further convey to us what we are seeing. We are seeing a distinct time period, yes. But we are also seeing two men, at most times of opposing thoughts and personalities, who have to live and work together day in, day out. The black and white ensures we are aware that this film will not be two men agreeing or befriending, while at times it may seem that way, but two men who will gradually and brutally fall apart.
I'll be needing time to further process this piece though, as it was so intricately weaved that one viewing, and a couple of hours of time for it to settle in my mind, are not nearly enough to absorb all the details. But please, to anyone reading this, if you haven't already, go and see the film. Because, and I say this honestly, this is a masterclass on all fronts. Some, including myself, may even call it a masterpiece.