As I watched The Grey starring Liam Neeson I could
not help noting the parallel between his personal story and that of his
character Ottway in the movie.
In the movie Ottway is in despair and is writing a note to
his former love, “You left me and I cannot get you to come back.” In a dreamy
flashback scene he is lying by her side in bed and she is saying, “Don’t be
afraid.” This flashback scene repeated throughout the movie made me wonder if
he has similar real-life memories of his wife Natasha Richardson.
His bewilderment fits this story of wilderness survival that
involves adversity, enemy wolves, internal demons, personal conflicts and
existential perspective.
Ottway worked as a wolf-hunter to protect the oil rig
roughnecks before their plane crashed in the Alaskan wilderness in winter. He
uses his knowledge to lead them on a trek to escape the wolves and find
civilization.
