Habit

" Habit" is a 1995 drama film directed by Larry Blamire, starring Larry Blamire, Larry Bagby, and Tamara Hill. The movie is a satirical exploration of the daily routines that govern people's lives, highlighting the monotony and superficiality that often characterize modern human existence. The film is presented as a guide, a self-help manual that promises to help viewers break free from the shackles of habit and discover a life of unbridled freedom. However, the narrator's words are soon undercut by the characters' mundane experiences, revealing the futility of their attempts to shake off their routines. The story centers around Larry, played by Larry Blamire, a carpet salesman who feels trapped in his job and his life. He's obsessed with escaping his dull existence and finding a sense of excitement and purpose. Larry's desire for freedom becomes an all-consuming itch that he can't scratch, leading him on a series of misadventures that only serve to reinforce his habits. As Larry navigates his daily routine, he encounters various characters who are also struggling with their own habits. There's Tim, a fellow salesman who's addicted to video games, and a woman who's obsessed with exercising and perfecting her body. These characters' stories are interwoven with Larry's, creating a tapestry of absurd, humorous moments that highlight the absurdity of modern life. Throughout the film, Larry becomes increasingly detached from reality, descending deeper into a world of fantasy and addiction. He starts to envision himself as a skier, always chasing the thrill of the downhill run, but never actually reaching the bottom. This becomes a metaphor for the futility of trying to break free from habit, as Larry becomes trapped in a never-ending cycle of desire and disappointment. Meanwhile, the voice of the narrator continues to guide the audience, offering philosophical musings on the nature of habit and freedom. However, the narrator's words become increasingly ironic, as it becomes clear that the characters' attempts to break free from their routines are ultimately doomed to fail. The film's satire is biting and understated, often relying on the absurdity of the situations to make its point. At times, "Habit" feels like a companion piece to the works of Albert Camus, exploring the human condition in a similarly absurdist and existential way. The film is a commentary on the human desire for freedom and the futility of trying to escape one's circumstances. Ultimately, "Habit" is a film about the power of routine and the difficulty of breaking free from it. Larry's failed attempts to escape his habits are a testament to the human condition, which is often characterized by inertia and habituation. The film's conclusion is a bleak one, suggesting that the only way to truly break free from habit is to accept and surrender to its power. The film's cinematography is striking, with a muted color palette that captures the drabness and monotony of everyday life. The camera work is often static, emphasizing the sense of inertia and stasis that pervades the characters' lives. The overall effect is a sense of detachment and isolation, underscoring the idea that we're all trapped in our habits, searching for a freedom that may be forever elusive. "Habit" is a thought-provoking and absurdist commentary on modern life, exploring the human condition in all its complexity and futility. While it may not offer a clear solution to the problem of habit, it does provide a scathing critique of the superficiality and monotony that governs our daily routines. The film is a must-see for anyone who's ever struggled with the idea of breaking free from their habits, and the search for a more authentic and meaningful way of living.