Decision at the Ark

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="005dba33.gif"> <div> <A HREF="http://www.frodolivesin.us" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.frodolivesin.us"><U><IMG SRC="006ef530.jpg" border=0 width="239" height="83" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> |    back to:  <A HREF="http://www.frodolivesin.us/nonlotr/id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.frodolivesin.us/nonlotr/id39."><U><B>Going Back for Sarah</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Decision at the Ark</B>   |   <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Searching for Sarah"><U>Searching for Sarah</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Together Again"><U>Together Again</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Saying Goodbye"><U>Saying Good-bye</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Race Against Time"><U>Race Against Time</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Climbing for Three"><U>Climbing for Three</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shock and Collapse"><U>Shock and Collapse</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hope Survives"><U>"Hope Survives"</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04792923.gif"> <div>      </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Decision at the Ark</B></div> <bR> <div> Despite his planning and effort, Leo's ended up ready to go underground in Missouri while Sarah's still in the path of destruction back in Virginia.  As we see him in the following screencaps, Leo and his family have just gotten off the bus after being told by the man who's in charge of their section of the "Ark" that this will be their home for the next two years.  It's now or never.  If Leo goes into the cave, the door will be shut and sealed behind him, separating him from Sarah and leaving her to her fate.  Leo's very much an "everykid"; is he going to be sensible--or heroic?  </div> <div>  <A NAME="sarah_top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>1.</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="00ec50f0.jpg" border=0 width="709" height="271" ALT="Leo (Elijah Wood) ponders his choices" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>2.</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="00fc5100.jpg" border=0 width="709" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>3.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="010c20d0.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Leo's face doesn't change much, but watch the people behind him.  He's still walking but is slowing down, not keeping his place in the crowd. </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>4.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="011c20e0.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>5,</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="012c20f0.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Something's happened in the next pic, although it's probably subliminal for everyone but "experienced" Elijah watchers--and </B><B>even </B><I><B>we </B></I><B>need screencaps.  Leo's mouth is set and his eyes have gone from </B><I><B>thinking </B></I><B>to </B><I><B>decided</B></I><B>. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>6.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="013c10d0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>And two frames later, just a bit moreso. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>7.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="014c00f0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>A shift from inward-focus to outward-focus (#8 is </B><I><B>during </B></I><B>the shift).  We're keeping up with the crowd again--for just a moment. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>8.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="015c0100.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>9.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="016c00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This is a look up at the fortified entrance to the cave. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>10.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="017c60f0.jpg" border=0 width="710" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>11.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="018c00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The moment's over.  Leo stops; the camera begins to pull back. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>12.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="019c2100.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>13.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="01ac10d0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The fact that he's decided doesn't make it easy. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>14.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="01bc10f0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>His gaze drops from the cave entrance to the crowd.  It strikes me as fairly likely that a kid of Leo's age, especially one who's been well "looked after," would do what he does here--wait for his parents to notice that he's fallen behind. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>15.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="01cc00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>16.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="01dc20f0.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>17.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="01ec10e0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>As soon as they do (Dad notices first)...</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>18.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="01fc0110.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>...we see a display of complete determination (and not just in Leo's face, but in the entire way he holds his body).  He has to convince Mom and Dad--and himself--that he's man enough to do this. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>19.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="020c20f0.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The camera seems to notice it's left him behind, too, and moves back in--slowly.  Leo doesn't move a muscle. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>20.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="021c2100.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>I wasn't going to use all of the following series (it's not frame-by-frame), but it makes a nice slideshow of the lead-up and delivery of the announcement: "I'm not coming."  He has to gather himself together a bit first. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>21.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="022c2100.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>22.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="023c2100.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>23.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="024c00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>24.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="025c50f0.jpg" border=0 width="709" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>25.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="026c20d0.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>26.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="027be0e0.jpg" border=0 width="702" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>27.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="028c00e0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>28.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="029bd0d0.jpg" border=0 width="701" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>29.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="02ac30e0.jpg" border=0 width="707" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>30.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="02bbc0f0.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The most important, best-delivered line, "I have to go back for Sarah," doesn't get a close-up.  Leo says it directly to his mother--the one frame just below shows the set-up.  The visual of the line doesn't give much reason for screencapping it ; it's </B><I><B>definitely </B></I><B>worth listening to, though.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>31.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="02cc2100.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Somewhat stereotypically, perhaps, Mom tries to keep Leo from leaving, but Dad seems to understand that "A man's got to do what a man's got to do."  Maybe not so stereotypical after all, considering Dad's no "alpha male."</B></div> <div> <B>32.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="02dc00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Practical Dad realizes that money could soon be so much scrap paper.  He takes off his watch so Leo can have it for bartering purposes, just in case.  </B><B>Leo protests a bit, but doesn't turn down the offer.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>33.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="02ec00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>There's something about these two ordinary guys in this extra-ordinary situation, using their everyday practicalities to face it in a way that's heroic for both of them, that makes the next picture especially moving to me. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>34.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="02fbd0d0.jpg" border=0 width="701" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>I wasn't planning to use so many caps from the following part of the scene, either, but I trust no one will be too bored, seeing that there's angst involved, and eyebrow acting, and asymmetrical eye action, and...    We see the first part of the hug from the other side (showing Dad's face), and it's Dad's tearful "Take care of yourself" that Leo's emotionally reacting to just below.</B> <I><B>[Later edit: This page was constructed long before any of us saw RotK, but this series of caps gives an interesting though unintended comparison.]</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>35.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="030c00f0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>36.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="031c00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>37.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="032c2110.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>38.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="033c10f0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>39.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="034c00f0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>40.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="035c1120.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="274" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>41.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="036bf0e0.jpg" border=0 width="703" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>42.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="037c1100.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>43.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="038c10f0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>44.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="039bd0d0.jpg" border=0 width="701" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The emotions are straightforward during the hug, but as Leo moves away we get a more complex mix of feelings from him.</B> </div> <bR> <div> <B>45.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03ac2110.jpg" border=0 width="706" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>46.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03bc1110.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The line being spoken below is, "We're going to make it."  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>47.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03cbe0e0.jpg" border=0 width="702" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>48.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03dbd0d0.jpg" border=0 width="701" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>49.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03ec3100.jpg" border=0 width="707" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>He starts to turn, with what looks as if it </B><I><B>might </B></I><B>be a separate glance at each member of the family.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>50.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03fc00f0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>51.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="040c00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>52.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="041c00d0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>53.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="042c00f0.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The next two show a bit of a slip in that calm, determined, exterior--including some subtle eyebrow acting.  How </B><I><B>does </B></I><B>he manage to raise only the </B><I><B>inner tips </B></I><B>of his eyebrows?  I've tried it in front of the mirror and can't do it.  Since it involves those little muscles around the eyes and nose, maybe it's one of those things that can't normally be done consciously?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>54.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="043c1100.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>55.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="044c10f0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="271" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Calm and determined again (although there's still a bit of softness to the expression).  The eyebrow tips come back down.  But his final turn away is done so quickly that it blurs. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>56.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="045c0100.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>57.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="046c0110.jpg" border=0 width="704" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> I find it heartening when Elijah pulls off a good scene in a basically mediocre movie, as I think it shows he has what it takes to become less and less director dependant as he matures.  Leo might have been a somewhat different person if Elijah'd had Ang Lee or PJ pushing him to be the best he could be, but in this scene, at least, his emotions "feel" real to me.  <I> </I><I>[Note: In an earlier version of the script, Leo waits until he's inside the Ark before he turns around and goes back.  The version we see in the movie, IMHO, ratchets up the "now or never" aspect of his decision.]</I></div> <bR> <div> Finally, a gripe I wanted to save til after the pictures so as not to influence anyone's first viewing--I can't help thinking the area around his mouth looks a little pushed out, like he's wearing a retainer.  The capped teeth strike again?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="#sarah_top" TITLE="Decision at the Ark"><U><B><IMG SRC="00c7d3c0.jpg" border=0 width="125" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>    </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Okay, when I first put this page together, I figured it would be the only stop I'd make in <I>Deep Impact </I>for a long time--maybe ever!  But on a brief foray to capture some of the movie's special effects for another use, I started seeing... acting!  Froshadowings, even!  Yep, I was amazed, too.  There are <I><B>spoilers </B></I>for the Leo & Sarah storyline if you continue: </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Searching for Sarah"><U><IMG SRC="00d7d3c0.jpg" border=0 width="125" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>