Equilibrium (2002)

It’s conflicting really. I’m reviewing the story here, the plot, the concept - and not any other factors. Reminds me of that long Korean video that looks like a phone commercial (with DBSK and Boa, and other Korean artists).

Peace, by elimination of emotions. Not only emotions, indulgence in books, music and arts are forbidden, too. Their world is controlled by someone called "Father" and their government, Tetragrammaton. They call anyone who don’t follow rules the "Sense Offenders". And then the lead character Preston (played by Christian Bale) discovered how to feel, how to let his emotions take the course of his actions.

What confuse me is that - if their world is completely void of emotions, why is it that they feel anger (shown when Brandt was supposedly arrested as an offender and in a couple more scenes)? It’s a contradiction. Is it only joy, happiness, the sense of life in arts, music, books that they want to eradicate?

Equilibrium, in the mere definition of this word, is maintaining balance. And, putting biases aside, no one can survive just by thinking or just by feeling alone. Objectivism doesn’t mean the eradication of emotions.

And I did get the message they wanted to convey; but somehow, in highlighting something that which is your point, you forget the "equilibrium" in the story. In trying to break the dominant by highlight what is subordinated, you somewhat distort the story by not giving equal emphasis to the other side.

But then again, people can argue, that’s not the point. The point is emphasizing the subordinated. Just like the authoritarian or fascist system controlling its subjects.

In the present world, however, especially in the Philippines, I can see that it is the emotions that is winning than objective and rational thinking. Take a look around you, you’ll notice what I’m talking about.

Sample lines:
Mary: Let me ask you something.
[Grabs his hand]
Mary: Why are you alive?
John Preston: [Breaks free] I’m alive… I live… to safeguard the continuity of this great society. To serve Libria.
Mary: It’s circular. You exist to continue your existence. What’s the point?
John Preston: What’s the point of your existence?
Mary: To feel. ‘Cause you’ve never done it, you can never know it. But it’s as vital as breath. And without it, without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock… ticking.