tim@fisher.UUCP (Tim Snyder) (02/19/86)
It is important to remember that one of the main themes of Brazil is perceived reality, the point being that what one perceives is fact. Furthermore, I think there is a huge difference between 1984's world and that of Brazil. 1984's is an extrapolation of sociological themes, whereas Brazil's world is more of a "redressing" of today's society. Hence, to discuss Brazil in the 1984 framework misses the mark. I feel that Brazil works because it manages to disguise fragments os twentieth-century life so that we can perceive them in a new or fresh way. It is not uncommon to exclaim "Oh, how wierd!" during the film only to say on reflection, "Well, that is just like what happens when..." In addition, events which seem strange to you may not seem so to the person next to you. So, Brazil offers an "historical" perspective on the twentieth-century to the society of the twentieth-century. I find this remarkable. We can watch a film, about, say, colonial America and easily have this historical perspective since we are quite different, especially in terms of the various "settings." Brazil disguises the people and settings so that we can have this same perspective, almost as if we were people from another time or culture. SPOILER concerning ending follows: The ending is definitely HAPPY. Here's why. Despite the fact that the hero has become (according to "our" reality) a vegetable, acording to his reality, he has conquered his problems and achieved his goals. Similarly, when he finally beds down with his "dream-woman," she suddenly appears with the long hair of the woman of his dreams. Is it one of his mother's wigs (she probably had many) or is it "real?" It doesn't matter, for, to him, she has the long hair. Hence, he has won all his battles (the imagined ones were very real to him, no?) and is eternally happy. Flame me over! Chairs, Tim Snyder
verner@inuxh.UUCP (Matt Verner) (02/19/86)
> > SPOILER concerning ending follows: > > > The ending is definitely HAPPY. Here's why. Despite the fact that the hero > has become (according to "our" reality) a vegetable, acording to his > reality, he has conquered his problems and achieved his goals. > > Similarly, when he finally beds down with his "dream-woman," she suddenly > appears with the long hair of the woman of his dreams. Is it one of > his mother's wigs (she probably had many) or is it "real?" It doesn't > matter, for, to him, she has the long hair. Hence, he has won all his > battles (the imagined ones were very real to him, no?) and is eternally > happy. > > Flame me over! > > Chairs, > Tim Snyder Hmm, I guess that is one way to look at it. I tend to think it was a sad ending simply because it does not leave any hope for the _others_ in the movie. Sure, Sam may be happy in his little dream land, but all the other characters, including Jill, are still stuck in a manic, opressive society. The movie is so full of interesting contrasts that I think this is another example of contrast being used to make a point. At any rate, the movie can be viewed in so many different ways, I cant wait to go back and have another look see! Matt Verner UUCP: ...ihnp4!inuxc!verner AT&T Consumer Products Laboratories AT&T: (317) 845-3631 P. O. Box 1008 Indianapolis, IN 46206 "The whole point of this sentence is to clearly explain the point this sentence is making."