Lighting Up the Darkness

For such a heart-warming film, so much of the movie dwelt upon death and darkness. Much of the action takes place in either the darkness of night or dark rooms. Most of the characters such as Cher's and Olympia's have black or white hair, while the only character with really colorful hair belongs to the father's mistress. Rooms are darkly-paneled and smoke-stained. Outside the temperature is freezing cold, so much so that breath vapors cloud our view of the characters speaking in the street. But even with all the talk of death, and with all the dark colors and dark places, this movie still comes across as a movie which celebrates life and love, happiness and joy, and passion. Perhaps when one is confronted by the inevitability of death, one actually can embrace life fully. No need to play "that damn Vicki Carr song" anymore. Love triumphs over death.