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This movie 's central underlaying theme is... (Contains Spoilers)

posted 11 years ago by redcapa1
3 replies | jump to latest

Happiness

One day Borgman tells the children the story of the white child that must face the beast that guards the golden key to happiness. Ironically he is that beast. That beast that shows up at their door one day unsolicited and manipulates it's way into their lives by feeding off their every weakness. In order for the family to hang on to their happiness, they need to be vigilant and strong.

At one point we see Richard's wife break down in tears saying that she feels undeserving of the happy life they have. So the theme of happiness is ever-present throughout the movie and I believe it to be the main theme.

[–] all-the-rest-is-treason 11 years ago

I don't think they had such a happy life to begin with. At least the wife is not happy. The guilt you mention is clearly a big problem for her. She feels the need for absolution, that's why she welcomes Borgman, the tramp, the less fortunate, in the first place. She's also looking for meaning, and above all change. This is why she is so susceptible to Borgmans suggestions. Main theme - hmmm, not sure. A lot seems to have to do with the nature of good and evil, and the loss of innocence. Borgman, is he a devil or an angel? The remodeling of the garden (of Eden?). The children being taken underground, drugged, corrupted. In any case I'd definitely say that the search for meaning and the feeling of unfulfillment are two big themes.

[–] gstedt 11 years ago

I saw Borgman as the crippled character of the story about the white child. When the mother cries for anyone to help her retrieve her child in the belly of the beast the crippled character steps forward and volunteer. The mother kisses his hand.

This is what Marina does in the movie when she has the nightmare about Richard hurting her. She goes down and asks Borgman to kill Richard. Borgman accepts and Marina kisses his hand.

Is the baby in the white child story Marina's life? Family? Her sanity?

[–] Baalerhoed 10 years ago

This makes much more sense.

The beast is their life style. It doesn't have to be a person, it could be something abstract as well. The first violent scene with Borgman and Richard suggests that behind the facade something was already not going so well.