Review of El Topo (1970) by Pierluigi P — 10 Aug 2009

WOW this is just mind-blowing. The most beautiful movie I've seen since The Fall, with an interesting and twisted story you can choose to follow or not, because it's the symbolism that tells it's own story. I have never seen so much layering of relevant symbolism that is just the right amount of obvious, and if you ignored it you could follow instead the biblical reenactment or the tragic hero's journey through other aberrant religions or ideas.

Alejandro Jodorowsky wrote, directed, and starred in (whew!) this epic masterpiece that transverses genres altogether and is a feast for the viewer. You do have to put up with a ridiculous amount of bloodshed, torture, rape, splayed animals, and other deviations from acceptable films, but somehow on El Topo's quest I was rarely disgusted or embarrassed, but awed and thoughtful.

The surface plot follows El Topo (The Mole) as he metaphorically digs upwards looking for enlightenment and then falls at the peak because he is blinded. The surrealism seems to convince the viewer of the overbearing wrongness and "savagery" of recent conventions and how they clash with the late 60's movement questing for enlightenment. The Mole is searching for the answers and his own freedom, but as he progresses we realize he will not become enlightened in his life; he is still figuratively the man.

Throw in a biblical awakening and an inevitable apocalypse to round it all up. This is the beginning of midnight movies, introduced by who else but John and Yoko!

My first jaunt into Jodorowsky's work leaves me ridiculously impressed. I can't wait to see his other stuff!