Michael Hordern's narration and commentary for ``Barry Lyndon'' may be a
useful example. Another, slightly different, is for Martin Scorsese's
``Gangs of New York,'' which I saw last week. In it, Leo DiCaprio's
character, Amsterdam, narrates in his own voice, but simultaneously at a
distance, having some third-person perspective on the greater political and
historical events making their impact on the film's characters. The great
irony in the narration is that he is one of them. This also brings to mind
Robert DeNiro's narration-commentary in Scorsese's ``Casino,'' and, if I
recall correctly, Ray Liotta's in ``GoodFellas.''
By the way, ``Gangs'' is an extraordinary film, that is certain to generate
huge amounts of discussion in this salon. I'll say up front that it offers
up the first critical social commentary of American 19th century identity
since Michael Cimono's ``Heaven's Gate,'' and like that film, can easily be
read within a Marxian framework.
Robert Koehler
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 1:10 PM
Subject: Re: oddball narrators!
> I'm not sure that any of these fit the terms you describe but does The Big
Lebowski fit? I'm also reminded of the English language version of Rene
Clair's "Man ABout Town", where Maurice Chevalier provides an English
language commentary....
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