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Did anyone notice Schrodinger's cat (possible key to film)?

posted 15 years ago by veo
6 replies | jump to latest

I hated this film that tried too hard to be art cinema (though the atmosphere was really great).
But there was a scene that nobody else seems to have mentioned: Sean and Anna are talking at a table and she says her dead husband used to lecture on psysics, more specifically the division of atoms. The next second, a cat crosses the table. Of course it's an obvious reference to the Schrodinger's cat experiment, which basically says an event takes place AND doesn't take place at the same time, but it only takes place (or doesn't) when you measure it; until you measure it, it takes AND it doesn't take place (the quantum superimposition theory).
Because the film was pretentious but hollow, I think the cat scene was thrown in just to be a (fake and lame) intellectual reference. But maybe was there something else? I haven't seen all the movie so maybe this scene would explain a little what (the hell) happened.

Gognitti bailed. I made like Chow Yun-Fat.

[–] nike_de 15 years ago

interesting thoughts....i always wondered about that cat scene and still couldn't figure out its meaning....yeah if it's really something related to quantum physics and the cat experiment, it may imply this scene as symbolizing unpredictability and lack of understanding of this world

[–] smhni 14 years ago

interesting notion (no matter if the homage was the real intention of the director or not)..

I taught the cat is leaving the scene because of the classic cliche: ["little children and animals are more perceptive toward metaphysical presence"!!! ..

the cat bails out when the boy goes into "incarnated Sean" mode!

[–] flanger216 14 years ago

Exactly --- in terms of quantum probability & entanglement, he could be the husband, and not be the husband, at the same time. It's only upon intense scrutiny that he 'resolves' back into being just a kid.

I'd argue it's pretentious & hollow to accuse a movie of being pretentious & hollow without having even sat through the whole thing, but that's just me. Also, it's called the 'superposition principle,' not "quantum superimposition theory."

[–] veo 14 years ago

You're right one shouldn't pass a judgment before seeing the whole film, but I did that the next day and my opinion, unfortunately, didn't change.
Of course, I'd be glad to be enlightened about the film, should you have a different take on it.
Thank you ;)

Gognitti bailed. I made like Chow Yun-Fat.

[–] mgulev 10 years ago

I like the Schrodingers cat analogy. Seems plausible. Sean is and isn´t.

[–] MoviemanCin 9 years ago

Yes, mgulev. Sean is and he isn't. The interpretation is left to the audience.

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, or doesn't.