They never explained WHO the black guy was & from WHERE he came!!!
- it's a Christmas movie, so it is presumably an angel from God, or possibly God himself. not necessary to know, arguable at best that an explanation is necessary. a vagueness makes it more interesting and keeps us thinking and wondering.
HOW did a Lottery ticket translate to the dream/fantasy that ensued?!?
- it didn't, it was a test for the Asian store-owners who (ironically) misjudged the stereotypical black hoodlum and wouldn't honor the ticket. it was also a test for Jack, who responded correctly, risking his own life for people he doesn't know in a sloppy convenience store he wouldn't normally ever go into.
Hollywood perpetuates racism! E.g.,from the grocery store scene: "the Lotto be keepin` the brothers down." & "stupid ass white boy in a $2000 suit".
- except that Don Cheadle is playing a role that does reflect the reality out there, even now, there are black hoodlums exactly like the character he played. one thing to consider is that a rich white guy (or anybody, but especially a snobby, arrogant, rich white guy) in real life would probably not take that sort of chance with his own life, so it does bring the point home more powerfully and effectively by using a black stereotype. can't think of a better way to sell that idea, so i'd say go with the racism to most powerfully create a believable, if unlikely, scenario to tell a moral tale.
ironically, it actually speaks against racism by stereotyping the character, because the Asian shopkeepers do misjudge him and the lotto ticket, while Cage's character has a momentary lapse of selflessness, enough to earn him an opportunity not only to see how things could have been better for himself, but to give him a second chance to get that family life he didn't realize that he hungered for.
WHY does Hollywood often insert the disgusting details of life? E.g., showing the feces in the baby's diaper!
- the idea was to bring realism to the scene and solidify the idea that he would not want this sort of life contrasted to his luxurious, wealthy reality wherein he can bask in the glow of greater orderliness, cleanliness, servitude and utter wealth. to trade living in the lap of luxury to the realities of poop, pee, animals, noisy kids, a much lower paying job, "sub-par wardrobe" and all the rest must be contrasted sharply to get the idea across effectively. obviously it worked on you and me, since we believed it to be gross. realism, suspense of disbelief, is the reason filmmakers use these methods.
later, when back in his luxurious world, he recognizes that the love of a family, despite all its messy, disorganized, confused and complicated elements, is a far greater thing than wealth alone without that glorious, deep, and heartfelt love of wife and children.
the beauty of it is that he would trade the clean, organized life of wealth for the poop, pee, snotty noses, yelling kids... because their love is a far stronger force than those little, inevitable irritations, and trumps any amount of wealth and its trappings.
Finally, just as important as the plot hole regarding WHO the black guy was & HOW that ticket was able to work its magic... the ending sucked!!!
- 1. doesn't really matter WHO the black guy is, only that he exists and brings tests to individuals. if worthy, they get an opportunity to see how they can change their life for the better.
2. it DID show "HOW that ticket was able to work its magic" by revealing the racism of the Asian shop-owners and the willingness of Cage's character to risk his own life for others, simultaneously trying to help the gangster in the process. this is certainly why he is given not only a glimpse, but also a second chance to rekindle their romance, relationship and have a family.
3. i understand why some would feel that the ending was anticlimactic, but it is important to consider that he is only given a chance to change, there is still a lot of work to be done to realize the beautiful family that he was shown. it is meant to leave us feeling melancholy, wishing for the Protagonist to have the best life with his girl, and he indeed does have hope, but it's left up to him and her to forge a new relationship that will create that reality.
arguably the best ending is what we're given, if unsatisfying in some ways, we are left with hope...
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