Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel

Posted by Kathy S on October 13, 1998 at 16:17:38:

In Reply to: Uncas versus Nathaniel posted by Rich on October 13, 1998 at 05:38:11:

Rich says:
: Seen it written in reviews of LOTM ... heard it said here and elsewhere ... that Eric Schweig (Uncas) stole the show right out from under Michael Mann's hero Nathaniel/Hawkeye/Le Longue Carabine (Daniel Day-Lewis).

: To me? No way! Eric Schweig was perfectly cast as Uncas, of that there is little doubt. His presence did capture the moment at times, he delivered his lines well enough, and certainly his struggle for life against Magua is a high point of the film, but ... Hawkeye is the MAN!

Yes, indeedy, Hawkey is the MAN! Even though Eric Schweig did an excellent job in LOTM,(and I count myself among the Sweiggers) there is no doubt who the stars were, or who the main characters were. Uncas did manage to distract me from Hawkeye a few times, but the movie belonged to Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeiline Stowe, in my opinion. And it was supposed to. They were aided by wonderful supporting actors, an obviously brilliant director, spectacular scenery,gorgeous music and a darn good script.It all came together so perfectly.

Rich also says:
... the fact that the climax belonged to Uncas/Alice/Chingachgook does not detract from all the drama & romance that made the prayer on Table Rock SO meaningful!

The climax was a little surprising to me, and I really like being surprised. Not having prior knowlege of the characters or story, I was ready for anything. And as the film moved along,I really thought either Cora or Hawkeye would get killed, since that is a classic love tragedy. I certainly never expected anyone to jump off a cliff!

It is a sad irony that Hawkeye and Cora survived while almost everyone around them perished. They both experienced devastating personal losses. That is a big part of why the loss of Uncas and Alice is painful.We're sad when they die, Duncan too.But we also feel so badly for Hawkeye,Cora and Chingachkook.Their suffering was so apparent.

The ending prayer was very poignant.When Ching speaks the line..."I Chingachgook, last of the Mohicans", it is so powerful,and tragic. The father has outlived the son.Heartbreaking.

Just as an aside, I think DDL and Stowe had great chemistry. I wonder if they will ever act together again. I think I could handle it if the film was nothing like LOTM. They would be great in a modern thriller like Patriot Games. Just a thought.

Kathy

Follow Ups:

• Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel & DDL & Stowe Together Again? MMMMarcia 16:31:15 10/13/98 (5)
  • Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel & DDL & Stowe Together Again? myte 22:13:36 10/13/98 (2)
    • Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel & DDL & Stowe Together Again? Chris 22:57:33 10/13/98 (1)
      • Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel & DDL & Stowe Together Again? myte 23:11:07 10/14/98 (0)
  • Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel & DDL & Stowe Together Again? Jo 21:33:29 10/13/98 (1)
    • Re: Uncas versus Nathaniel & DDL & Stowe Together Again? MMMMarcia 09:40:46 10/14/98 (0)

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: 
: Rich says:
: : Seen it written in reviews of LOTM ... heard it said here and elsewhere ... that Eric Schweig (Uncas) stole the show right out from under Michael Mann's hero Nathaniel/Hawkeye/Le Longue Carabine (Daniel Day-Lewis).

: : To me? No way! Eric Schweig was perfectly cast as Uncas, of that there is little doubt. His presence did capture the moment at times, he delivered his lines well enough, and certainly his struggle for life against Magua is a high point of the film, but ... Hawkeye is the MAN! 

: 
: Yes, indeedy, Hawkey is the MAN! Even though Eric Schweig did an excellent job in LOTM,(and I count myself among the Sweiggers) there is no doubt who the stars were, or who the main characters were. Uncas did manage to distract me from Hawkeye a few times, but the movie belonged to Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeiline Stowe, in my opinion. And it was supposed to. They were aided by wonderful supporting actors, an obviously brilliant director, spectacular scenery,gorgeous music and a darn good script.It all came together so perfectly.

: 
: Rich also says:
:  ... the fact that the climax belonged to Uncas/Alice/Chingachgook does not detract from all the drama & romance that made the prayer on Table Rock SO meaningful!
:  
: The climax was a little surprising to me, and I really like being surprised. Not having prior knowlege of the characters or story, I was ready for anything. And as the film moved along,I really thought either Cora or Hawkeye would get killed, since that is a classic love tragedy. I certainly never expected anyone to jump off a cliff!

:  It is a sad irony that Hawkeye and Cora survived while almost everyone around them perished. They both experienced devastating personal losses. That is a big part of why the loss of Uncas and Alice is painful.We're sad when they die, Duncan too.But we also feel so badly for Hawkeye,Cora and Chingachkook.Their suffering was so apparent.

:  The ending prayer was very poignant.When Ching speaks the line..."I Chingachgook, last of the Mohicans", it is so powerful,and tragic. The father has outlived the son.Heartbreaking.

: Just as an aside, I think DDL and Stowe had great chemistry. I wonder if they will ever act together again. I think I could handle it if the film was nothing like LOTM. They would be great in a modern thriller like Patriot Games. Just a thought.

: Kathy


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