I don't remember what led to the conversation, but Vicky suggested that I watch the 2004 movie version of The Phantom of the Opera. I thought it would be like any other horror movie, or any other musical. And well, yes, at times it was creepy and everyone in the movie basically sang every single line.
However, this movie is definitely one of my favourites right now. It's such a beautiful yet tragic love story. The phantom (whom I found out has an actual name - Erik) lived such a horrible childhood that cruelty is all he knows. Music is literally his escape, and I guess the main lead, Christine, took part in that.
I haven't cried this hard in the longest time - or felt vulnerable in a good way - and I kind of like that feeling. I first cried when Christine was singing "Think Of Me" because it sounded so beautiful and for some reason I just started tearing up. I very rarely cry while listening to music - yesterday was probably the fifth time I've cried as a result of listening to some melody. However, I must add that the cinematography may have added more effect as to make me cry.
The second time I cried while watching it was when the phantom himself started crying! And I always cry when the guys cry, haha. But it truly is heartbreaking - the only shimmer of light in his life is Christine, and she really doesn't want him in that way.
And then basically from the reprise of "All I Ask Of You" until the end (and even after credits) I was bawling most of the time. I just find it so tragic that Erik can't be with Christine (and now I'm even tearing up as I write this). Of course, a deep, musical bond is pretty inspiring, but love is way more than that - and Erik and Christine could not have had a true love. Gerard Butler is such an amazing actor - you can just sense from the anger in his tone of speaking and the lines in his his face from frustration of how desperately Erik wanted Christine. It's amazing how just a kiss cured Erik of his feelings of rage and revenge (towards Raoul ... and everyone else in that theatre, I guess).
This movie reminded me a lot about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - a creature, ugly but human, goes on a "quest" to take a chance of receiving love, yet continuously receives cruelty. I think that both stories are commenting on the human desire for love.
Before I saw The Phantom of the Opera, I just thought it would be a horrific love story, with a happy ending. But for the most part, it's a tragic love story - and I Think it just gets to me more because of, well, the actual melodies of the music, and that his movie is overflowing and abundant in such musical mysteries that I myself cannot comprehend thus I cannot exactly explain.
(Which is how music is supposed to make people feel.)
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