Cinematography by Bobby Bukowski. Directed by Ramin Bahrani.
Michael Shannon might just be the best actor going right now. Especially considering
this guy just retired. Also there is this
podcast which disagrees. But I soldier on in my conviction.
In '99 Homes' Shannon perfects the wolf who never had any real perspective on the carnage he's wrought on the sheep. "If they didn't want to be eaten, they shouldn't be so tasty," the wolf
opines. Shannon's character expresses a similar sentiment blaming people for not understanding what would happen with their adjustable APR.
The interplay between Shannon and Garfield is perfect for carrying the film. Garfield plays the sheep being trained to hunt by the wolf. But over and over Bahrani shows us these two are worlds apart.
Above Bahrani makes excellent use of the space. On the right we have Garfield. He's in the foreground, away from party. He is alone in his anguish. Meanwhile, the left hand side of the frame depicts the married, Shannon picking up his mistress. Shannon is celebrating the destruction on lives, in a foreclosed home by cheating on his wife. It's the holy trinity of real estate.
Later during the party we watch as Shannon attempts, not to console, but to rationalize Garfield's actions. Shannon goes to sleep on the dock and asks Garfield to make sure he doesn't fall in the water and drown. The wolf asking the sheep to protect him, to show him mercy. It's funny to think about it, but I never questioned if Garfield would save Shannon. However, if things were the other way around it might be a different story. This scene also continues the drowning motif which runs through '99 Homes'.
When Garfield upgrades his home he is framed with the pool in the background. After complaining about feeling like he was drowning over and over he's finally garnered control over water. This sequence also contrasts him with his mother. Garfield is framed against the opulent yard. with it's in-ground swimming pool and gorgeous vista.
His mother, played by Laura Dern, is framed against door and walls. The most basic aspects of a house, implying minimalism. There's a line by Shannon's character where he talks about a family he forecloses on. He explains they took out a loan to build an addition they were perfectly happy to live without for 20 years. Shannon is implying their refusal to live a minimalist lifestyle is their downfall.
The pictured scene plays into this idea. Dern isn't impressed by Garfield showing off his wealth. She offended at how he made his money. She embodies the idea of life being more than a scorecard. Moral bankruptcy is too high a cost to pay for material goods. She's the good angel over Garfield's shoulder where Shannon is the little devil.
Above we can see the drowning metaphor come to completion through the camerawork of Bahrani. Garfield is in the fetal position, drowning in his new house and his moral bankruptcy.
The theme of '99 Homes' is a simple honest life is better than a wealthy dishonest one. You can choose to be the wolf, but only at the cost of your soul. There is no happiness waiting for you at the bottom of that in-ground pool. Because happiness is on the hot charcoal grill next to the pool in the form of burger and brats. I think Socrates said that.
Recommended.
