MovieChat Forums > Cracks (2011) Discussion > Asthma and other stuff too.....

Asthma and other stuff too.....

posted 13 years ago by Yamagatagirl
6 replies | jump to latest

I hate when movies give the strong lead character asthma because they have no personality weaknesses. They are beautiful, courageous, polite and smart, so lets give them asthma so we are able to kill them. As if to say, its their fault, their bodies were weak or not strong enough. I'm just saying its a script writer cop-out. Can't think of anything else - give them asthma.

And when Ms. G says maybe you're not meant for this world, she was speaking of herself. This is how Ms. G felt about herself. Fiamma was obviously a meant to have a great life and she would have had a great life or at least her life to live if Ms. G had'nt killed her.

I hate Ms. G. Evil prevails. Goodness is sacrificed. Fiamma's family are a bunch of tools. I know its a period film but who doesn't answer the phone when their kid calls.

Bullies are total losers. They are empty vile human beings full of hurt, so they fake courage to manipulate and terrorize others and squash the goodness in the world because they are jealosy of it and will never have it themselves.

Juno Temple's (Di's) faces annoyed me. Especially when the camera stayed on her face forever......her acting seemed contrived.

What do you think?

[–] missscoobyca 13 years ago

As an asthmatic myself, I often roll my eyes when it is portrayed in movies. "It" and "The Goonies" come to mind. While I love both movies, the usage of a "puffer" as a prop by the main characters is laughable! Inhalers or puffers are NOT intended to be used every 2 minutes for dramatic effect. If someone is using a puffer that often, they need to immediately seek medical help! "The Goonies" is especially bad because it seems he pulls that thing out at the end of every speech like a nervous tick! I agree asthma is used often as a neat little convenient malady in which a character can easily die if that magic puffer isn't produced. I agree there are many more options that can be used if only a little imagination and effort is put forth.

[–] Yamagatagirl 13 years ago

I agree. Your response got me thinking. You know I believe that another reason Hollywood gives characters asthma is to make the villian appear less evil. As if to say well the villian didn't kill her, the asthma killed her. Either way, I find it a little annoying although I really liked this movie.

[–] callagal 13 years ago

I suppose in the 1930s they didn't have great treatments or medications for asthma.

[–] arterius2 8 years ago

For a movie that laughably couldn't differentiate Italy from Spain, I don't think they producers were really going for realism/accuracy in this film.

[–] ElxDiablo 10 years ago

At the risk of playing devils advocate here, there could be some non-formulaic reasons for giving the Fiamma character asthma and a conspicuous inhaler.

Firstly, asthma would be a far more dangerous condition during this period than it is today. As a result, the fact that Fiamma not only dives, but does so at a level far surpassing Ms. G's team is an affront to her skill as a diving instructor...more so, than if she were a perfectly healthy student.

Secondly, rather than interpreting Fiamma's death/murder as a case of someone "not meant for this world", the fact that Ms. G denies her life-saving medicine (not to mention, sets her team out to do her dirty work beforehand) rather than outright murdering her, points to someone who lacks personal agency.

She uses manipulation, and indirect means of murder (like modern-day "angels of death" in hospitals) to achieve her ultimate goal. This is more a commentary on Ms. G, than on Fiamma.

I can understand why people may disagree with this analysis, but this is my take on this particular aspect of the film.

[–] rutakate 9 years ago

Well this is based off a book so the person in the book could have had asthma.