They (the Wachowski brothers) write things that are so layered, 15-20 meanings in an exchange of four lines between three people -- which is always what great writing is. So if you know that, you can take that and trust it, surrender to it and invest in it if you want.
Laurence Fishburne
http://www.zap2it.com/movies/matrixreloaded/story?article_id=16842
ÒThe morals of the films,Ó adds Moss when asked of their unique appeal, why The Matrix and its sequels have created such a buzz that extends beyond merely their effects-laden action sequences. Ò[TheyÕre about] love [conquering] all, destiny, believing in your past, making choices that support your destiny, being responsible for the choices that you make, believing in something that youÕre willing to fight for, that you think is important, believing in good, believing in freedom and believing that unless you have a choice then there is no freedom. Having a choice gives you freedom and then itÕs being responsible for that choice.Ó
By Andy Culpepper Turner Entertainment Report Senior Correspondent
Bizarre movie, odd
interview
A literary concoction
No matter. The truth -- as they say -- is out there. Allow me to share it with you.
The film's hero -- played by Keanu Reeves -- is a wily computer hacker named Thomas Anderson. He is thought to be "the one," the foretold leader by the name of Neo, and hence, he is the object of a search by Laurence Fishburne's character, Morpheus, the leader of the band of computer hacker rebels.
Morpheus' female lieutenant, Trinity, is played by actress Carrie-Anne Moss. She and Morpheus must convince Thomas that it is he who is destined to lead them to victory, even though Thomas doubts they are right.
It doesn't take a Harvard education to appreciate the symbolism. And so I ask Reeves about his character's name: a Thomas who is in doubt?
"You mean, 'Doubting Thomas?'" Reeves asks, referring to the Biblical figure Ditimus. The smile on his face tells me what I need to know.
"Wow, you're good," says Pantoliano.
Score: former English teacher one, The Matrix, zip.
I am on to something beyond an amusement park ride, and the Wachowski brothers emphasize that fact. "Well, you know, Neo means new, it means change," Larry Wachowski suggests. "All the names were chosen very deliberately, and we wanted to put as many things ... hidden in the movie, as many literary allusions ... we sort of think that makes it rich, more dense -- more stuff to think about and talk about."
And if Reeves' character is a savior, or Christ figure, then what of Fishburne's character, Morpheus?
"I think of him as almost a John the Baptist myself, actually," Fishburne says, referring to the Biblical holy man who traveled the countryside baptizing the faithful in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah.
Fishburne mentions re-examining myths and re-inventing myths and my inner English teacher considers joining the Keanu Reeves fan club while Wachowski picks up the theme about the importance of myth as a "mirror that is an archetype of our own time and our own life." "I think it's important, " says Wachowski. "It's how we understand where we are and where we came from. It's a constant dialogue that happens in this sort of human consciousness, I guess."
March 31, 1999 Web posted at: 1:52 p.m. EST (1852 GMT)
Script and
photos from the Matrix
are the creative property of
Warner Brothers
Eat cookies : the Oracle
Get distracted : Mouse
Crave the Matrix : Cypher
Temet Nosce : Know Thyself
Exit : back through the rabbit hole