cinematographic: sarah williams, labyrinth

Labyrinth is a 1986 Henson Company fantasy production starring a young Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, and Bowie's trousers (if you've seen the film, you'll know what I mean.) This'll show my age, but it's also one of my favorite childhood movies.

The film follows teenager Sarah Williams through her struggles with coming to maturity, by way of a rescue mission. In a typical coming-of-age fashion, Sarah learns the hard way about responsibility, romance, consequences, and how to harness her own willpower. This sort of thing could have been dull in anyone else's hands, but the Henson team set up a fantastic world populated with artist Brian Froud's goblins and creatures, and their fabulous Goblin King Jareth (as played by Bowie.) Add stunning visuals, a fun musical track, the usual amazing Henson puppetry, Terry Gilliam's comedic style, and you've got me hooked.
And then there are the costumes.

Sarah's playtime dress, which every little girl I knew wanted desperately.

What's this, a real neighborhood, looking real? Do I ever miss on-site filming sometimes.

My face when I hold crying kids, too. Usually I'm not wearing a giant pirate blouse and brocade vest, though.

Goblin puppets, lookin' better than CGI since 1986. There is really something to be said for having people manually control the expressions and body movements of tangible fantasy creatures.

Who's there?

Oh shit, it's Bowie. Come to hit on you.  ...well, okay then!

Except first you have to solve a giant labyrinth and save your baby brother.

Are we seeing these straight-legged jeans? She's got moccasins on, too. Oh, so 80s. And yet...

Speaking of 80s....  I took about a million caps of the ballroom scene, but this post is not enough to contain the awesome of all the incredible gowns, masks, and decor. Another post, another day.

The famous Escher painting come to life.

One of the things I love about the film is that there's no Peter Pan ending here. Nor the ultimately depressing "it was all in her head" type of conclusion. Instead, we are left with a positive note, not about eradicating childhood dreams, but about balancing adult life with fantasy.

And that's me out, before I get lost and post the whole damn movie.