University of Virginia Library

Civilized Complacency

James Dickey's characters
sought to find nature when
they went down that river and
to relate themselves as men to
nature. They did it. They
found that which civilization
had taken from them,
especially Ed, and they took it
home with them. And that is
the necessity to struggle.

Modern civilization has
made it possible to just drift
through life without any real
problems, and without any real
satisfaction. Ed is shaken out
of his civilized complacency
and forced to constantly,
continuously, exhaustingly
fight for every minute of his
life and his peace of mind.

The great thing about
Deliverance is that whether or
not you find any profound
statements about modern life
or the masculine mystique, it is
an exciting and enjoyable film.
I recommend it.

(Now at the Cinema)