Disaster

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) | dir. George Lucas

I really really love these two frames because they are the exact opposites of each other. Not in a love-hate way or sadness-anger way.

Padme’s “I love you!” isn’t just an “I love you!”. It’s also “come back” and “I can’t believe that you’d do this to us” and “I’m sorry” and “can’t you see?” and “please stop” and “what are you doing?” and “are you still there?”. But most importantly it’s “I love you, and this was always enough! Can’t you hear me? I love you, I am telling the truth, hear me! I know that this was always enough! I can’t believe it isn’t now. Why?”

Padme’s “I love you!” is a thousand words inside three.

Anakin’s “Liar!” is exactly what it is. That’s what he thinks she is. Most importantly, that’s what he thinks everyone is. That breath before he does the irreversible is him remembering it all, feeling it all and then letting it out. That “Liar!” isn’t only about Padme, it’s not only at or for Padme. That “Liar!” is at Obi-Wan and Windu, and Yoda, and the entire Jedi Council, and the entire Jedi Order, and the Senate.

Anakin’s “Liar!” is nothing but what it is.