Hi guys, I know what you’re thinking!  How in the heck does this movie relate to Metaphysics?  Well, I decided to talk about this because of what happens to Mel Gibson’s character in this film, which has everything to do with Metaphysics.  During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson’s character) who is a veteran of the French Indian War and widower with 7 children, is called into action, not by his peer pressure, but by the death of his son.  It is here where Metaphysics comes into play.  Martin is extremely devoted to his children because of a promise made to his wife at the time of her death.  In the eyes of everyone concerned, there is NO way he would ever fight again.  It’s the transformation that interests me here.  His personal relationship with God is what dictates a man’s most private decision making processes.  It is captured on film here when Ben Martin’s son dies in his arms.  Time slows down as his mind pushes him into action, having sworn off violence forever.  The protective instinct of a parent usurps the power of his decisions.  In an instant he is imbued with bloodlust.  You can catch this transformation in a 5 minute sequence from the death of his son, to his killing 20 men almost single-handedly (his 2 young sons support his effort).  This transformation helps to pull together the local Militia and helps turn the tide of the war.  I love this film BUT, it is filled with historical inaccuracies and another BUT, one thing is powerfully true…….The French truly did help to win the war!!  I love that they gave huge credit to the French in this film because I am so familiar with Washington DC (because my family has been living near the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery, Virginia since 1972) and I am personally intimate with the ins and outs of DC !  The French influence in DC is bold and it’s grandeur is everywhere in DC because of the great Pierre L’Enfant. L’Enfant was chosen to design the layout for Washington DC by President George Washington in 1791.  His grandiose design was greatly influenced by the European Architects of Paris, France.  He admitted to being moved by structures like the palace at Versailles.  As a teenager I spent a lot of time at places like the Lincoln or the Jefferson Memorials.  Unbelievably beautiful places to sit and write poetry.  L’Enfant’s design included an entrance he called, “The Grand Avenue”.  Today it is known as the “National Mall”, or if you live nearby, like my family, just “The Mall”.  What is so kool about this place is that it stretches from the Washington Monument on one end and leads straight to the White House steps.  Along both sides of the Mall are some of the most powerful and beautiful buildings ever built by mankind.  The Smithsonian Museum Buildings alone are worth the trip.  Air and Space Museum is where I and my brother used to play hide and seek as boys.  In our teenage years my brother (an artist) talked me into going to the National Gallery to see “The Gates Of Hell” by Rodin, which to this day remains my personal favorite work of art.  When we were boys we used to play in the tunnels that today are know as the “METRO” which is a subway system that goes from Virginia, beneath the Potomac River, and straight into the MALL, or downtown DC.  I have such fond memories of playing on the mall and it’s surrounding memorials but the most interesting thing was always the architecture.  You can almost feel the architecture everywhere you go.  There are masonic symbols engraved into everything.   Because George Washington was Freemason and so was Pierre L’Enfant.  It is so beautiful there and there is so much to do that it would take you at least a year to do it all.  I am writing this all because it had such a huge impact on my life.  The words inscribed into the marble of the Lincoln Memorial will take your breath away.  It is one of the places I often went to write poetry and songs.  The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts was my first real job as a teenager.  I would sit and listen to the National Symphony Orchestra rehearse from the Presidential Box at the concert Hall and write poetry as I was the only one there for my own private concert.  It was an amazing job called a “Tour Memorial” which meant that you could come up to me and ask me questions about the building itself, and when it was closed I was the only one there…….so much fun!  Washington DC is a marvel and an education wrapped into one.  If you ever have the chance, I’m your perfect tour guide.  But let us get back to this film.

The film is directed by: Roland Emmerich, German director who directed “Independence Day” just before signing on for this project.  Great Movie by the way!
STARS:  MEL GIBSON
HEATH LEDGER
JASON ISAACS (fantastic bad guy)
JOELY RICHARDSON
CHRIS COOPER
TOM WILKINSON (gives a stellar performance here)

FANTASTIC MUSIC:  John Williams (his usual brilliant soundtrack)
And I just wanted to finish up by saying that the reason I love this movie so much, is not because it has any historical value, it’s because it speaks so creatively to the true nature and will of the American people during it’s most crucial war ever!  The madness involved is vividly on display, men with guns staring at each other and shooting men while standing boldly as a target for flying bullets, complete insanity of it all.  And Mel Gibson’s bloodlust as it is wild and then contained for God and Country to behold.  Man I love a good American Movie and this is one of them, in all it’s glory, flag waving and all.  It is a great way to spend two hours in the mind of a creative genius!  My hat is off to Roland Emmerich, for this is a fantastic film………take a look, as usual, I promise it will NOT disappoint……….I am Dartanion2……and that’s the way I see it!!…………cheers…………t   xx