Saturday, January 10, 2009

Deep thoughts....

The film, Michael Clayton, came out last year starring George Clooney. It was a legal thriller full of corruption which at times leaves you with a sense of hopelessness for humanity. For those who have seen the film, you can probably guess where I am going. There is a short scene at the beginning and again at the end of the movie involving three horses. Mr. Clooney is in deep and his life is a mess. He is driving through the countryside when his GPS malfunctions. He pulls over and sees three horses standing on the hillside. They are motionless, but they stare at him and he is captivated. He gets out of the car and walks into the field. The horses are simple yet beautiful the way the morning light splashes behind them. A grey, a sorrel, and a bay. He approaches them slowly, almost afraid they will run away. As he gets closer, the two turn away, but the bay holds his gaze. For an instant you see the weight of the world lifted off Clooney and he almost laughs to himself. Then his car blows up behind him and the terrified horses run away.

It is one of the coolest scenes in cinema but it also seems strange, surreal, and must hold some symbolism. I have thought about that scene many times, wondering why it was so simple yet so powerful to watch. For me, the horses stand on the hillside almost as old souls standing in judgement. Their beauty seems to transform him and he is face to face with "grace" steering him to the right path. There could be other meanings. Maybe they conjure up a memory, begging a return to childhood innocence or a more innocent America when Westerns could convince an audience that a moral code was still at work. In India, statues of three horses symbolize success; victory, strength, and perseverance. As George gazed into the eyes of that bay, he saw those things and knew what he needed to do to come out the other side. Maybe he saw the horses as "free." They stood there so majestic, answering to no one and he relished that idea. Maybe he was remembering a line from his friend, "Do you have the horses for that?", in regards to taking on the corrupt company. In seeing these horses, he realizes he has the strength and the power to do the right thing. Some have said the son was reading a book called "Realm and Conquest" that had a page with a horse standing by a tree. When George spots the horses he remembers the book and regrets not reading the book his son kept recommending. I googled some stuff and a book came up called "The love of horses" by Micheal Clayton sold on Amazon. Hmmmm.

Whatever the meaning behind that scene, it is beautiful. Maybe it is the admiration and the awe on Clooney's face that I understand. I feel that pull of fascination every time I look at horses. It draws me out of the house on rainy days, it pushes me to ride farther, to run faster, to seek out that gaze that locks on me and answers all my questions. If anyone has seen the film, I would love to hear your take. If not check it out...did I mention it has George Clooney in it:-)?

10 comments:

Rising Rainbow said...

I haven't seen that movie but I understand that feeling. The power and awe that come from a connection to horses. Even if that connection is fleeting, it's still one of the most amazing feelings I know.

Molly said...

I loved the movie and have re-watched parts of it on HBO. By the end of the movie, when the scene replays, I thought it was because of his son's book. Next time I see it I'll pay more attention to what the boy is telling his dad.
{Maddy and Bella will get along just fine!}

Flying Lily said...

Haven't seen this movie but I will look for it asap. The scene as you describe it sounds fascinating and indeed unforgettable. And George Clooney is in it. :)

Grey Horse Matters said...

I haven't seen the movie, but I will look into it if only to watch the beginning and the end. It's sort of not my kind of movie and I'm gonna say it, I don't like George Clooney or his movies. Whoops, I guess I've just sinned since everyone seems to think he's so hot.

OnTheBit said...

I love going to the movies...nothing like watching another life unfold on screen to make you take a good look at your own. When I first saw him with the horses I thought that he was just facinated at the pureness of his relationship with them. They wanted nothing from him and yet they were interested and cared about him when he felt like no one else was. I think I like your interpretations of the scene better though. When I look at horses I see love. I think that is different for each person though.

C-ingspots said...

I like your thoughts. Will have to watch the movie and see. I definitely understand the attraction or feeling of being drawn to horses though. I've always felt it. I am in awe of them and think that they are truly a gift to mankind.

Heidi said...

Your story a few posts ago brought tears to my eyes. The one about stopping to help catch horses along the road. Good for you! I stopped to catch a horse trotting down the middle of the road last spring. Her owner was so glad that I found her and helped catch her! Then a few weeks ago I stopped to catch two dogs in the road and was lucky to contact their owner and have a happy reunion. I think the exact same thing as you, I hope someone would do the same for my animals. Thanks for your story!

Oh, and I thought of you when I read this blog today:
http://thedressageprocess.wordpress.com/
The Jan. 8 post is about dressage and natural horsemanship, and I thought it was interesting :-)

allhorsestuff said...

Hi Jules,
Yea...it was abnoxious truly...but the mare was pretty clean and so we got out pretty fast...once I had her cross tied in the aile..she stood perfectly still.
MISS YOU!
KAC

Anonymous said...

I am so excited about this movie. Can’t wait for it. I heard lots of people on RiderMate.com talking about it.

kaylee said...

I never would have watched this,
But you made it interesting.
One of the best I have seen
. What a ending.
Loved it , thank you.
You were right the horses were
outstanding.
kay lee