The Basics of Philosophy
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Paul Schrader’s film The Basics of Philosophy centers on John, a philosophy professor grappling with his past sexual assault of an underage boy and its impact on his present life, including his conflicted sexuality and relationships.
- The movie explores heavy themes such as guilt, contrition, and the struggle for moral reconciliation, with John researching Baruch Spinoza’s philosophy and contemplating suicide as he faces his inner turmoil.
- Schrader blurs lines between illicit acts and consensual adult homosexuality, using the latter as a metaphor for broader societal transgression, though some portrayals of queer behavior feel dated and clumsy.
- The film is characterized by deliberate pacing and stilted dialogue, reflecting Schrader’s earnest, unflinching style that eschews irony, focusing on deep philosophical and moral questions rather than clear-cut judgments.
- Viewers may interpret the film as either empathizing with John’s psychological struggle or as a provocative statement on human nature, but ultimately it invites contemplation of human contradictions rather than offering moral didacticism.
