MovieChat Forums > Carousel (1956) Discussion > Why do so many people like this show/fil...

Why do so many people like this show/film?

posted 16 years ago by alexboruff
11 replies | jump to latest

This is not my only problem with Carousel, but it is by far the most disturbing one.
Am I the only one who is disturbed by the ending of this film? Billy Bigelow *beep* up his whole life, and ends it with one of the only halfway-decent things we ever see him do, which actually is pretty lousy but he does it for a good cause. He is given a chance to redeem himself by comforting his daughter. Here we come to the point where this story decides whether it is a comedy or tragedy. If he successfully overcomes his proud, sexist, brutish nature, learns humility and helps his daughter through a difficult time in her life, then he is redeemed, and its a happy ending. However, Billy, being the eternal *beep* up he is, goes and hits his daughter--his pride and joy, his only child for God's sake--in a moment of sheer stupidity. At this point, the story becomes a tragedy because Billy has blown his one chance, and like Liliom in the original play is condemned. However, that's not how it ends. The Starkeeper decides to come down to earth himself and help Louise himself. Mystically, Louise feels better about herself, and Billy for some reason is saved by this. Add to that the "slap felt like a kiss" (a realistic justification from someone on the receiving end of an abusive relationship), proving that Louise is as much of a dumb, submissive bitch as her mother; and because the idea that a slap can feel like a kiss is never refuted here, one wonders what young girls watching this film are supposed to understand about their place in all present/future relationships with men.
There is something profoundly disturbing about this ending. Could anyone who likes this film please explain to me what the hell they see when they this ending? How am I supposed to believe that Billy redeems himself?

"I aim to misbehave."

[–] rorysa 16 years ago

Yes, I can see that you're disturbed.

Of course, Billy can only "redeem" himself with help. He's too flawed to manage it alone.

There is nothing mystical about Louise feeling better about herself. She has listened to the words of wisdom from the doctor (with Billy's help).

We don't have to feel better about Billy in the closing scene, though he has at least helped Louise to listen to good advice and told Julie he loved her. We primarily feel better for Louise and Julie.

What do I see in the last scene? Optimism, hope, and one of the most beautiful moments in theater and film when Billy tells Julie he loved her and to know it (as the chorus sings the magnificent "You'll Never Walk Alone").

[–] critic-2 15 years ago

People are wrong to take the "slap felt like a kiss" as simply rationalization. It isn't. I think it's supposed to be a miraculous (maybe) occurrence that takes place because Billy is clearly intending to do the right thing for his daughter; he slapped her on impulse and immediately felt bad about it. The Heavely Friend upbraids him for it, too, so clearly the authors were saying that what Billy did was not a good thing.

I think all this politically correct controversy over the slap is just plain stupid. Do people get so worked up over this aspect of "Carousel" (and "Liliom", BTW) that they can't be bothered to take the time to analyze the story without letting that infernal mania for political correctness get in the way?

It makes me sick that people are so wrapped up in this that they don't give what is (I think) one of the greatest musicals of the American theatre it's true credit.

[–] rorysa 15 years ago

It's not only that they're wrapped up in it, it's that they--as I've said on other threads and as you mention--completely misinterpret it!

[–] alexboruff 14 years ago

Oh, I am so very sorry. I was unaware that there were correct and incorrect interpretations of the show. That would explain why I was so foolish as to be disturbed by the fact that the show forces an emotional deus ex machina on us. Silly me!

"Well, personally... I kinda want to slay the dragon."

[–] rorysa 14 years ago

Glad we could set you straight--you apparently needed it.

[–] mountainguy 14 years ago

I just saw "Carousel" on the big screen for the first time (had watched it on dvd a few years ago). I have to agree with the supporters. Intensely moving, and some of the most beautiful music ever heard in a cinema or theater. This is one of the greatest movie musicals of all time.

[–] rorysa 14 years ago

Welcome to the fold.

[–] liscarkat (16515) 7 years ago

All this justification of the slapping of Julie and Louise is just stupid. The movie's message is that Billy's violence toward his wife and daughter is somehow a romantic expression of his love. It's a sick message palatable only to morons. Billy is a loser and an a-hole.

[–] terezib 8 years ago

I like it simply because it is the only Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to take place in New England, which is my home. And the music.

[–] bnbailey-1 8 years ago

I just caught the movie for the first time just now on TV. And let me preface this by saying I have a fondness for older movies (I'm 32 for context's sake), especially Doris Day films. So Gordon McRae is high on my list. I actually bought a record of his last weekend!

All that to say...I did not love this movie. I did not connect with most of the songs, except for You'll Never Walk Alone. I felt so bad for Shirley's character. She's with a bum for a short time, and never remarries. I didn't connect with Gordon's character at all. And I'm sure it's hard with 2016 colored glasses, but it's just didn't click with me, I guess.

I'm not trying to diss the movie for those that love it, just sharing my thoughts. Perhaps a rewatch will help me appreciate it more?

[–] Jennie_Portrait 8 years ago

I love the music of this film more than R&H's other musicals. But I agree that the story is really really depressing. To be honest, I don't think any story with a wife-beater as a hero would be made today.

But again the music is just sublime. Also, the dance numbers -- especially June is busting out all over-- are just gorgeous. While the sets and cuts for Louise's ballet look terrible, it's awesome to see Jacque D'Amboise dancing. He was sort of the Mikhail Baryshnikov of his day. I really wish he had had the opportunity to do more films. He is such a nice person-- he used to be on talk shows a lot promoting his program to teach city children about ballet.

I surf youtube to find his videos https://youtu.be/Sd4ewqoFB0I

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