Personally, I always thought it was her mother's spirit, telling her she wasn't alone. I just thought that Sarah could see her mother, and Miss Minchin couldn't. Anyone have any idea what the director's thoughts on the balloon popping decision were?
shareImo Till the news of her father, Sarah life was safe, secure and loving, during this scene Sarah realises her life won't be like that anymore, her world was gone. The popping balloon was to show this. the balloon representing a few things of Sarah: her life, imagination, innocence and when the balloon was popped it signify the loss of these things in that moment.
while your theory is a nice idea I just cant seem to think of it that way (wish i could though it is a nice thought)
Like the poster before, I feel that this is basically the old "burst your bubble" saying in visual form. She had a life with her papa and others around her where she felt safe, secure, valued, and loved. She was in this protected bubble, and it popped. Now she would live a life that was anything but safe and secure, where her there is no love from a parent or authority figure. Her only value was in her possessions, which were taken away and all the work they can force our of her. Luckily, she at least had Becky and the other little girls still going to school who had already fallen in love with her. Otherwise, she would have had nothing left.
"Everybody lies.."
Yep, as the other two said, it's just showing that the world she knew is coming to end. Pretty much, innocence gone.
EMOTICONS ARE BACK! YAY!