Did anyone else get the sense that the father was having an incestuous relationship with Isabelle, or had in the past? Was the first scene supposed to show that or just that they were French and the French have different mores when it comes to physical intimacy?
shareParents in Mediterranean cultures are a lot more demonstrative with their children than North Americans or people from northern Europe. Having said that, incest is not all that uncommon. Sometimes the line can be blurred.
shareThe fact that the camera lingered on a close-up with the father's hand on the daughter's back does imply there may have been abuse in the past. If you think about it, it is odd how Isabelle's behaviour changes as soon as the song "La Mer" starts playing. Oftentimes those subject to abuse will recall a memory with a trigger, as said in psychology. Be it a smell, word or song. Something important must've happened in the past when that song was playing.
I agree that the French might be more demonstrative, but it is interesting how this is the only scene where physical contact between parent and child. No one kisses the mother on the cheek when the enter the kitchen for dinner, and no one hugs each other either, so that one moment with the hand on Isabelle's back might have more meaning that we think.
Karina Licursi ~
I don't disagree at all. The way I initially took the song though was that she clearly felt comfortable (or simply sexual) while playing it since she puts in on when giving in to "the forfeit" of having sex with Matthew the first time. And then she becomes unhinged when she hears Theo playing it on date night. I assumed the latter reaction was because it was a song she held as very personal and felt completely violated hearing Theo playing it with/for an "outsider". But the theory that her behavior changes as a result of hearing that song because it is connected to a major event such as the father molesting her is very interesting.
shareYou can't generalize and say things about a whole group of people applies.
My family wasn't physically demonstrative but my husband's family is and he even kisses his father on the mouth. Not a long lingering kiss, but a quick "I love you" kiss.
My parents grew up in non demonstrative families and now they are very loving. And it's because their children married spouses who came from expressive emotional families and it's great now.
So I never judge a whole countries people on stereotypes. They just don't always apply.
No, the pov is from Matthew who is fascinated by Isabelle and as a wasp not used to normal family affections, so he observed it. Though the twins clearly crossed that boundary.
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