With 2017 about to be one more year in our extremely complicated and shameful past, we need second chances more than ever. We need to know that no matter how badly we mess up, no matter how far we fall, the invisible hand of fate might be waiting to catch us. It might hurt when we land and it might take us an age to get up, but what else can we do?
After all, if directors like Guillermo Del Toro had listened to bad press and box office notices, we’d never have had “Crimson Peak” and “The Devil’s Backbone,” two of the most important films of my lifetime.
Del Toro himself doesn’t have much nice to say about this film, but that’s, as always, what I’m here for. To nurse the wounded animals of culture, and try and find them forever homes in the unconscious of you extremely patient readers.
More than anything I wanted this to stand as a tribute to Mira Sorvino, one of my favourite actresses since I was in 4th grade. This movie and her performance mean a lot to me. I spent a lot of my youth dreaming I could grow up and direct her. That may never happen but I’m glad I have this little platform with which to sing her praises
Have a good 2018, Ebertians. Thanks as always for making this site a part of your life, and my essays part of your monthly routine.
Your support fuels me and makes me feel loved.
To watch more of Scout Tafoya’s video essays from his series The Unloved, click here.
