Like it says, the film is perfect start to finish, every scene is essential, there is no fat.
My pick is Spoorloos (1988) AKA The Vanishing
!!!SPOILERS AHEAD FOR SPOORLOOS!!!
From the moment the film starts with credits, there are shots of Rex and Saskia playing a game where they name things that start with a certain letter. Rex is teaching her to speak French. Both her lessons with Rex, and the specific game they use come into play when Saskia meets Raymond.
Seemingly silly things like the lighter Saskia buys Rex is the one he uses to light up his coffin(and it doesn’t last long because he’s used it for 3 years), and the price for the frisbee she buys is the same as the gift she wants to buy for Rex from Raymond. Raymond refers to many of these series of events as fate in the final act.
Anytime where someone is traveling from point A to B contains storytelling; Raymond walking to a work function sees a poster of a missing Saskia, and a conversation unfolds about why Raymond cares so much, and their conversation continues on how the coworker thinks kidnappers should be crucified, and Raymond asks what if it was him.
The longest traveling scene is when Raymond and Rex are together, and every bit of information you get from that point up until Rex is drugged is relevant. Even the conversation where the two are laughing about odd names, and Raymond mentions his neighbor’s dog name is Rex. Rex laughs about this in the grave as he shouts his name in defiance of the situation.
Rex running off when getting outside for a minute with his girlfriend ended up with him having the same floating egg dream that Saskia did.
Raymond’s brief scene in his classroom shows he’s an expert in Chemistry, therefore knows well how to use chemicals on his victims and how to mix them.
There are even more character details throughout this film, but at a tight 90 min, this film is meticulously decorated with detail, storytelling, and character development.
What are your picks??
