MovieChat Forums > Seconds (1966) Discussion > Another interpretation of the movie

Another interpretation of the movie

posted 10 years ago by Od1n
4 replies | jump to latest

Yes, it's a very sad movie. About a man who can't find himself in our reality, our social rules, way of life.

But what about humanity driving forces - always looking ahead, try something new, live in avantgarde?

If you look from another angle, that human always curious about everything surrounded him, including himself, always in search for something, better place, more money or another feelings - wouldn't this choice to change his life be an act of courage?

Just because it didn't work it doesn't mean Arthur has been defeated or whatever. I would say completely the opposed, he had bravery to change his life, to do something with his frustration. And I think he realized in the end what he really needs, even if it was too late. You could notice he didn't want to die (or sacrifice his life).

He needs a freedom from social ties, from his tailored life. Freedom of choices and a way he wanted to live. That's why "company" didn't work out, it was another even more strict life, a false one.

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 9 years ago

A very late reply, but your post makes lots of sense.

There was this hypocrisy of adjusting. Sounds more like conforming.

Adjusting to yet another version of conditioning.

People are conditioned to be conditioned, then (as is the case here), he is unconditioned to then be reconditioned. No real 'change'. Just went from A to B., like far too many clones in our world today.

[–] CalvinJarrett (258) 4 months ago

I don't think it's brave to abandon your wife by faking your own death. I don't think it's courageous to sacrifice seeing your child(ren) (i.e., his daughter), and any grandchildren at any time in the future. Sorry, because of those factors, I cannot look at Arthur Hamilton in an asset-based manner.

[–] Otter (24464) 4 months ago

I don't think it was meant to be a movie about pushing forward, breaking boundaries, or any kind of positive change. I think it was meant to be a movie about the old caution, "Be careful what you wish for".

[–] Owlwise (1497) 3 months ago

This, exactly. A beautifully bleak but honest look at midlife despair as the result of pursuing goals he was raised to desire & seek at the expense of his authentic self—a self he lost or surrendered long ago without truly realizing it until too late. The American Dream achieved & found to be a dull, drab, grey nightmare.