Boromir, 02.2024

Boromir, 02.2024

Hi everybody, just so you know I love to talk to people so if you want to chat about anything (Tolkien related or not) go for it :)

Anyway, I wish whoever sees this post a very good day or night <3

i am michael. i was not always michael. i do not want to be michael.

Frodo doesn't know what's good. More for me, I guess!

“I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler”

Friendly reminder that Frodo called Aragorn ugly ☝🏻

Okay, so I watched "all of us strangers" in the cinema yesterday. I'm not sure if this post will reach anybody and if this will be interesting to you, since this is a Tolkien blog, but I need to get it off my chest.

This film is an adaptation of Stranger by Taichi Yamada, which I haven't read, so I'm not judging it as an adaptation, but as a standalone work. There are different things you should pay attention to while you know the original story, so if you have read it and have something to share, comment please.

Also, yes, I'm aware it came out a while back, but it had its release in my country literally last week, so it's new to me.

There are no spoilers here, if you haven't seen it yet and are planning to.

This is a movie you have to experience yourself. I always Google the plot before watching a movie, but something prompted me to not do it this time and it was so worth it.

This movie is a masterpiece, simply put. And I don't throw this term lightly. From the pictures, to the perfectly chosen music for each scene (really, one song in the middle made me freeze, such a smart choice!), to the incredible performance of every actor on screen and the subtle and patient dialog... The haunting scene at the club, genuinely made my skin crawl. It's an incredible, though depressing, experience.

Now, a little information to make you want to go see it for yourself. It's queer (contains two short explicit scenes). It deals with subjects of loneliness and isolation (there are literally only four characters in the whole story and that really drives the point across) that comes from being different. It deals with substance abuse and other heavy subjects, like death and grief. And homophobia. Both in the past, as the characters speak about the AIDS crisis, and in the present.

(There is also a supernatural element, as a little treat. For those who enjoyed The Magnus Archives I can describe it as the lonely meets the corruption meets the end and the spiral. Yes, it's a lot. But if you know you know.)

I sobbed through the entire thing. So have tissues ready. Or maybe I'm just sensitive, who knows. As a lesbian who's never been in a relationship, I related to Adam... The fear of never finding love is to many queer people, unfortunately, unavoidable. And if you do, you think you have to cling to it with all you have and never let go. Even if it ruins you.

As I've stated before, this is a heavy film, so if you think any of the aforementioned topics could trigger you, don't watch it. If you don't think it will bother you, go for it. For the beautiful shots and music at least.

I'm planning on watching it again next week, so if my opinion changes I'll update this post and let you know. Art changes with us and sometimes time away from it can change your opinion.

Anyway, if anyone did watch the movie and wants to chat, or if you want to ask for more specific CW or TW write a comment :)

Are you afraid of Scary Bilbo?

Maybe, but ...

Does it change your view of Bilbo's entire character? Does it make you decide Bilbo is evil and corrupt at heart? Does it cause you to deride Bilbo for greed and selfishness in spite of all his heroic deeds?

No?

Then why do you do that to Boromir?

When Boromir tried to take the Ring from Frodo, it was his equivalent to the "HRRAAGHH!!" Bilbo moment.

Think back to the moment when Bilbo at Rivendell asked Frodo just to see the Ring, and in one fleeting instant Frodo saw, not the Bilbo he knew, but "a little wrinkled creature with a hungry face and bony groping hands." The flash of vision scared Frodo so bad he felt a desire to strike Bilbo. Frodo was terrified.

And then the next moment, Bilbo was himself again. The book itself describes the moment thus: "Bilbo looked quickly at Frodo 's face and passed his hand across his eyes. 'I understand now,' he said. 'Put it away! I am sorry: sorry you have come in for this burden; sorry about everything.'"

My friends, this is not that different from what happened with Boromir. He pressed Frodo to show him the Ring, and then became so intense about it that Frodo was terrified Boromir would take the Ring by force. Just like he'd been terrified of Scary Bilbo. Because, just as that was frighteningly not like the true Bilbo, this action was also not like the true Boromir.

Sadly, Frodo did not get the chance to hear Boromir's repentant apology and weeping once the moment of madness had passed. He got to hear Bilbo say, "I am sorry; sorry about everything!" But he did not get to hear Boromir say, "What have I said? What have I done?" nor his confession to Aragorn, "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. I am sorry."

And what did Bilbo want the Ring for at that point in his life anyway? What would he do with its power? Get revenge on his petty relatives? Acquire riches and pipe-weed to last a lifetime? On the other hand, Boromir wanted the Ring as a final desperate hope to save his city, his home, his family, and his people. Being of a noble heart, he viewed the Ring as the only possible way to protect and defend others. It could be said that he was somewhat selfish and desired glory of his own through his efforts, but then again, wouldn't it be called selfishness for Bilbo to get revenge on the Sackville-Baggins, or store up wealth and riches for himself, or hoard all the pipe-weed he could want? Perhaps he would have had loftier thoughts and intentions to use it against Sauron - but then that would simply be a twin vision to Boromir's.

The point is, no one loses confidence in the character of Bilbo or his true-heartedness because of that one scary moment when he is almost overcome by lust for the Ring. And yet Boromir gets villainized for the same thing.

Say it with me, folks: "Boromir was no more of a villain in his temporary madness for the Ring than Scary Bilbo was!"

It's actually very fun, you should try it. Though, I admit, it's gotten a bit expensive recently, at least where I'm from. I used to only use pencils, but the markers are more... Freeing, I suppose. You can layer them and blend perfectly, but they can also create a rougher, more graphic look. And they have fun bright colours :)

Of course, the feeling is mutual 🩷

I really am amazed by your art! 🤍 what kind of material are you using?

Greetings to a fellow lotr fan 🤍

Greetings to you as well!! 🩷

I use alcohol based markers and watercolor pencils on dark paper and an inking pen of any kind :) white and black.

Thank you so much, sending you love 🩷🩷