Gus Van Sant's: "Last Days"

 "It's going to rain when I die"-Alice In Chains                                                                  I just watched Gus Van Sant's movie "Last Days" on DVD/HBO special... "Last Days" is a fictional movie inspired by the last few days of late Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain whom committed suicide in April of 1994... Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) was involved in the movie as well... I THINK Gus Van Sant directed the movie "My Own Private Idaho" as well (starring the late River Phoenix and Flea of the RHCP).

There is not much dialogue in the movie as fictional character "Blake" is tied up in a heroin haze, tapped by friends for money and favors, and being followed by a private investigator hired by his wife...The lack of dialogue and the almost silent scenes in. "Last Day's" sets a bleak, dark, atmosphere of desolation, alienation and isolation. It's hard to watch and very sad, although "Last Days" is very minimalist in its approach.....                                                    With the exception of heroin, I've been  in that dark, desolate place where death is a relief from the pain and misery of life..

The fact is, Gus Van Sant does not moralize or point a finger of blame in "Last Days", he leaves it up to the viewer..Whatever ones opinions on drugs, the music bussiness, fame, money, suicide, a wife, a kid, and free loading freinds is also up to the viewer.. Then again, with excesses, come the "selfishness" and inevitable self destruction of being... Also, the untimate self punishment of suicide which can be construed as either freedom from hell or the most selfish act of all, specifically when one is a parent.

The pun here is Blake, the characters name (no offense to the late Kurt Cobain).. W. Blakes "Doors of Perception"..Get it?

It's strange because "Blake" is not alone in his house,( not alone but lonely) and his friends seem  too trendy, too self centered to really, truly care about Blake..They may cover for Blake in many ways, but there is back stabber in the house with a PI following behind..As soon as Blake entered the greenhouse to take his life, his "friends" jetted..No one suggested to Blake, "Here man, check your self in, check your head, we're cover for you, fuck the music business....(Then again Blake had just escaped from rehab as Kim Gordon's character offered help of sorts)..We'll help you if you want to go to the hospital.". Blake's "freinds" got this sketchy feeling and split..

I've been through that feeling where the "drama" of the music business and the local scene exceeds anyone's interest in me, and people just want to freeload.. However, I have enough balls to say NO, and to TRY to take care of my self..

It's almost as if Blake was a fugitive in his own home..I'm not sure if it's "fair" to apply this DVD to the last few days of Kurt Cobain's life, but it may not be far from the truth.

There was a very funny review of Gus Van Sants "Last Days" at www.cinematical.com. . What was found most interesting was Pitt's almost comedic portrayal of "Blake" (a fictional version of Kurt Cobain), specifically the classic heroin nod off, perfectly choreographed and unintentionally comedic in it's sensibility..Review from Cinematical.com: : Once he finally gets it on, he leaves it on MTV, and a Boyz II Men video floods the screen with its high-production value and frantically choreographed "despair". Blake proceeds to fall into a dope nod that resembles avant garde dance. Sign this kid up with Twyla Tharp - get Marc Jacobs to design the costumes, and heroin ballet could be huge.

This morning, I finished watching the movie "Last Days" and just like in Seattle, it started pouring rain... I mean the sky was crying and the rain was pouring. I just sat on my couch and watched the rain wet the windows like teardrops:  Drip, drip, drip...Just like it does in Seattle, rain.

RIP-Kurt Cobain..

Thanks-Tee-Stay Metal, Stay SOBER, Stay Brutal, and show compassion..\m/ -l-