I had the rare pleasure of putting the kids down early, and sneak away with my husband to go watch a movie last night. Watching a new release, actually sitting in a theater, is a lost art and truly a rare treat in PK (Post Kids) era so I was thrilled.
Someone told me that I must go see SALT, so without a clue as to what it was about, we rushed to get the ticket, and got seated with anticipation. Honestly, I couldn't care less what I was about to see, just to get out of the house without kids gave me enough thrill to watch just about anything. I was NOT prepared for the experience I was about to have for the next 90 mins.
The first scene opened with the female protagonist being tortured by the brute militia while being tied down wearing nothing but what seems to be her undergarments. I'm not going to ruin the movie by retelling too much of the plot, but this was a 90 min-roller coaster ride of mixed emotion. Angelina Jolie did what she did best- beat the crap out of every character that got in her way while remaining mysterious and sexy in every way. Basically, the movie was a Bourne Identity- the Jolie version.
But what about this movie was so disturbing to me? About a year ago, I watched Bourne Identity at home after a long day of chasing around kids. The movie gave me such a satisfying escape, I didn't even mind the fatigue or sleep deprivation the next day. Matt Damon was great. The scenes from all the different European cities were great. It was the perfect escape.
SALT, was similar, but different. In a way, watching this anime-esque figure beating up guys 3 times her size was exciting and empowering. But, she also got beat up and tortured pretty badly in the process. I didn't think twice when I saw Matt Damon get beat up on the screen. But watching a woman get beat up took violence to a whole another level. Double standard? Absolutely.
In addition to female violence, there's the issue of children being manipulated and brain washed. Watching the poor orphans being lied and manipulated to made me feel ill. I knew that this movie is completely fictional, but I still left the theater feeling exhausted and strangely wounded.
We came home after midnight, but I was too wired to go to sleep. Why did this movie disturb me so much? Unlike Bourne Identity, this movie gave me no pleasure of "escaping". Was it because I'm not a true feminist? Did I change because I have children of my own? Couldn't really tell why, but I just felt wounded.
I googled the movie that night to read the review. That's when I came across the fact that Angelina Jolie filmed this movie only 18 months after she gave birth to her twins. Crazy nuts! Jolie was stick thin!! If she had a postpartum weight issue, you couldn't tell. She did most of her own stunts and rarely used a double. Not only did she just have twins, she also has 3, no excuse me, 4 older kids! How does she manage to mother that many children, and still manage to be stick thin for this movie?
That did it. That was little too much SALT in my wounds...
Did anyone else see the movie? Let me know what you thought!!
