MovieChat Forums > Down in the Valley (2005) Discussion > my interpretation *SPOILERS*

my interpretation SPOILERS

posted 17 years ago by nindif
2 replies | jump to latest

my interpretation comes based soley on the evidence provided by the film.

Regular kid Harland enjoys cowboys. Has a car crash or some form of accident 'Don't care much for cars'. He runs away from home and abandons his past (which he later revisits).

Harland develops some sort of alternate personality which believed he was a cowboy (Playing mock scenarios in his room), justifying why the old man didn't know who Harland was when he took the horse - Harland created this fantasy friendship with the man in his mind.

The love Harland has for Tobe is genuine and he is genuinly concerned for her brother.

When Harland finds that western film shoot he thinks he has found his place in the world (one of the greatest moments of the film imp).

However, the fantasy world Harland has created simply cannot co-exits with modern society despite how hard Harland tries ad he is ultimatly killed, bringing on the feeling of pathos for his character who simply wanted to be a cowboy.

The message i took out of this clever film is that people need to be more consderate and adaptable to other peoples customs, characteristics and beliefs ect... however, sometimes ultimately two juxtaposing worlds cannot amalgamate and co-exist without conflict.

thoughts? did i miss the point entirely?

[–] Cobrastang99 17 years ago

I think you're right on point with your interpretations. And I agree the best part of the movie is when Harland is on the film set and believes he's found his place in the world. Through the entire movie, it felt like he had been born in the wrong century and was desperate for a connection to someone who might understand his plight. I felt so sorry for him. He lived a very lonely life because nobody understood him. Like Harland, my father abandoned me so I could feel his pain in that regard.

[–] kamillia 17 years ago

_______________________________________________________________________________
He lived a very lonely life because nobody understood him. Like Harland, my father abandoned me so I could feel his pain in that regard.
_______________________________________________________________________________

I had really bad experience with my both fathers, actually, one who raised me and my biological one as well. Two total *beep* But I don't understand that. That's not a reason good enough to explain his behavior. You don't become schizo because of that!
You need outlet(s) to overcome this kind of experience, that's for sure. To me, much more sign of his weakness, he didn't try to give it up at all. He rejected completly everything then. Not sure whether it's the only reason to explain him.