Targets (1968)

USA
written and directed by: Peter Bogdanovich
starring: Tim O'Kelly, Boris Karloff, Nancy Hsueh, Peter Bogdanovich
comment: 13th July, 2015

The opening sequence where we're watching an "archive" footage of Boris Karloff in pseudohistoric/horror stage set and the title "TARGETS" in giant letters pops right over it gives me an instant feeling of watching a modern (=innovative + reflective) film. The absence of background music makes a powerful impression and together with the ruthless editing underlines the absolute uncompromisingness of the whole creation.

I am fascinated by the total detachment combined with different levels and dosages of emotion in separate scenes and in the complete film. And maybe exactly the film not bothering itself with commenting or explaining anything is the reason why it remains misunderstood/underappreciated.

If I skip the great finale (which on its own is so eloquent and fairy-tale-like that to this day I don't really grasp how exactly did they make it to work so well and it's been three years since I first saw it) then the film still contains a lot of beautiful sequences of brilliantly assembled details, as for example in the scene when the shooter comes home and wonders alone about the house, looking at the relics of his own "life", as his family members' voices can be heard from outside the camera's range.

There are also some brief moments of naivety or clumsiness present, rising from the lack of experience on the director's part, or how else should I call it, but it doesn't bother me at all in the end because the immense respect for history (both of the world and of the craft) shown by Bogdanovich is more than enough for his adequate redemption.

-"I was astonished to see him here in Baghdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight... in Samarra."