A Reel Tribute: Irvin Kershner

It is rare occurrence when this blogger attempts to offer an obit piece for the departed. Any attempts to sum up a life in so many words always seems so futile; almost like trying to wrap your arms around a cloud of smoke. However, in the case of Irvin Kershner, who passed on early this morning at the glorious age of 87, an exception will be made. It is the hope of this blogger that at least some capturing of the man can be done.

Kershner will forever be known as the man who directed THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK; the film which most of the world believes to be the strongest, deepest, and best STAR WARS film ever made. While the film was mostly fried in the brainpan of creator George Lucas, it was Kirshner who really brought the story to life. How he did that is difficult to nail down. Perhaps it was the convincing interaction between Mark Hamill and a muppet; or the usage of lighting on said muppet. Maybe it was the fleshing out and development of a strong backstory that would set the stage for four more films, or maybe just the simple way the film flows with the Imperial March score. It is a sad irony that he would pass in this year; 2010 is the 30th anniversary of EMPIRE. It is good to know that he lived to see it become a legendary and everlasting film.

Exactly what is it about EMPIRE that makes it so strong and re-watchable? The asteroids? The AT-AT’s? The introduction of different worlds based on climate? Is it the hopelessness that the beloved characters find themselves in? Again, the answer is as difficult as embracing smoke. Maybe only Irvin knows the answer; an answer that went with him as he departed Docking Bay 94, leaving only this quote for us to ponder:

"I like to fill up the frame with the characters' faces. There's nothing more interesting than the human face."