My Review and Analysis and comments

I have some fairly definite thoughts on those topics already, so I look forward to the discussion...

Let me start out by saying that I'm not a reviewer. I have not read this book, but I feel I have some insight into the story after seeing the movie 3 times or so.

This is a very bleak, cold, dark, depressing, haunting and shocking movie. It is also a courageous, spirited, and beautifully filmed movie; a story that needed to be told in the sobering manner which it has been. As Roth even stated in his commentary, this film could help someone find the courage to fight back against an abuser, seek help somehow. I suppose most would target in on the incest angle, making it the foundation for any further thought to springboard off of. It is true that the core of the story revolves around the dad and Jessie's secret, though there are hints of a past and present happy, functional family, a domestic equilibrium of familial responsibilities and obligations.

From an outsider's point of view there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with them, as chores are tended to, a newborn baby seems to live in the lap of luxury, as much as can be in this rural area. Even though other people come into view and leave, the resolution to this family's struggle will be resolved from within. Maybe that is why Tom discards his videotape that captures the obscene incestuous encounter. His proof is within his mind already, and he is his own jury, passing judgement upon his father and sister. Maybe he is partially a voyeur, though I believe he wants to see the truth, however blatant and crude it might be. And his own nascent sexual urges are coming into focus now, however unrecognizable that may be to him. Notice how idle he is when Jessie sets him up for his first sexual encounter. He is totally shut down and unmotivated, then Jessie steps in to end it. Why? Dare I say, in some twisted way she wants to be his first? The more I think about it, the more the ending suggests that Tom and Jessie will have a sexual encounter in that bunker, however damaging that may be for both of them in their healing process. And whereas Jessie's abuse by her father was born out of betrayal and domination, I imagine her encounter with Tom will be born of out protection, nurturing and healing.

The story has 3 catalysts that drive its narrative: The move to the country, the newborn baby, and Tom's discovery of the incest. From this, and what transpires thereafter, we can attempt to retrospectively imagine how their lives were before we're allowed to witness them. And imagine how long the abuse of Jessie has been going on. Was there ever a third party to their encounters? Did dad take the Polaroid pictures? Why were they taken at all, since it seems like evidence the dad wouldn't want lying around?

Anyway,
1)the move to the country:
This creates isolation, a sense of being trapped. And not only physically, but also a kind of mental prison, where shouts go unanswered, cries aren't heard by anyone who cares or who can comprehend what is going on(Jessie's friend suspect some turmoil, but is in the dark), protests that echo shallowly off of the cold surroundings. A new setting jolts people out of their habits and routines, and can also open new perspectives to view the world. Maybe this is why the dad is careless about the bath encounter with Jessie, not thinking someone could view from outside.

2) the newborn baby:
This ostensibly adds a sunny spark to the household, adding purpose and optimism to the family's lives, though it only further removes the mother from the situation at hand. She is too busy with the child to realize what is going on around her. I'm not even sure if she has seen evidence of Jessie's abuse, but has decided to rationalize it away and deny it. I suppose it could be hard to detect, since Jessie hasn't complained about it, and most of the encounters seem to take place away from home. Maybe the book explains this better. And, of course, the dad possibly abusing the baby is just the lowest and basest act a human being could commit on this earth. I don't believe the dad was abusing the baby, it was only a month or so old, but I do believe he would abuse it later in life. Tom recognizes the possibility of present and future abuse, and decides to stand up and fight against his dad.

3) Tom's discovery of the incest.
His discovery and subsequent pondering and actions give the story its narrative teeth. Jessie, who has become a ritualized victim by her father, the phone calls she makes that signal their bunker appointments that dad arranges(I'm assuming), at first denies the outrageous claims, as someone who would want to either mask the situation, or deny it even to herself, might do. Jessie's body is like a foreign shell that receives punishment, while her mind seems to dream of being free. She even mutilates herself, out of self-hatred, because she has come to deny her own identity in a way. Now that Tom knows about it, an outsider, this is like when people don't go to a doctor, because they don't want to get diagnosed with something. Not going means you don't have the illness or infection or mental issues(however irrational that may be), or whatever it might be. She must now admit it to herself, and she hates herself for finally realizing it and admitting it. Her admittance is more out of gestures and silences than vocally. And throughout it all, Tom watches and watches, thinks and thinks, and assesses the situation. He watches his dad's and Jessie's body language after he knows their secret, as if wondering why he didn't or couldn't read them accurately ever before, their dark secret hiding beneath their skins. Which brings me to the relevance of silence.

Silence speaks louder than words:
The story is told in a documentary style, with silences, stares, unanswered questions swimming in and out of view. That is the most remarkable aspect of the movie. There are many shady actions and motives and internal dialogues going on, and each viewer can draw various conclusions from how they interpret it. I believe Roth wanted to use the power of their gestures and silences to convey the story rather than having each character speak exactly what is going on in their minds. In real life there are grey areas and confused thoughts that people carry within themselves all the time. And a movie like this has no easy answers, but suggests the certainty that death stops physical abuse, though the mental damage lingers on in each heartbeat and breath the survivor has hereafter. We're left to ponder if the next generation will continue the vicious cycle of abuse, or if acts of incest can be transformed into something else than betrayal and detriment, perhaps even love? Another possibility is that Jessie realizes that she's victimizing Tom by forcing sex upon him, when she should really let him find his own way. Part of Jessie's 'awakening', let's call it, has her transferring her own victimization by her father, and then passing that onto others, her brother.

Acts of Denial:
Jessie's denial: I think she denies the incest because to acknowledge it would be admitting its truth. I think Jessie also wants to protect the rest of her family from finding out about it. She's already locked into this cycle of violence, the ritualized bunker meetings, which apparently carry harsh retribution if she refuses these trysts. She is obviously in a lot of physical pain and mental torment, but how can she get out of it? Tom eventually lures her out of her shell, a reconnection with her mind to her body being one again. She finds the courage to make a stand. Tom's constant presence with her, however vocal he is or isn't, works to help uncoil Jessie from her entrapment. And he's really her only lifeboat in this world.

Dad's denial: The dad goes nuts when confronted with the incestuous accusations. He seems to have even denied it to himself, because he defines his actions, his abuse, as something closer to his identity and lifeforce rather than a clinical term. When he hears the words from Tom he reacts like a bomb just went off, the fuse has been lit, so to speak. And the closest he comes to confessing it is by telling his kids to not put lies in each other's heads, because they'll believe them. I don't personally know, or think I know, abusers like this, but from what I understand they never really admit their guilt.

There's also the issue of jealousy. At times the dad seems like a boyfriend to Jessie, making sure where she is at all times, wanting Tom to keep an eye on her. Tom is jealous of Jessie also. I think, like I said before, that Tom is awakening into sexual urges himself, and is confused about them. Tom is used to seeing his sister nude, and they play fight at times. I suspect there is sexual tension between them, though for the most part it is lurking in an unconscious form. I personally don't have sisters, I'm a man, but even though I'm sure most siblings aren't attracted to one another, having siblings of the opposite sex can help illuminate the mysteries of their gender.

Overall, this is a tough movie to watch. I don't seek out movies like this, nor am I obsessed with issues that veer into the taboo zone. I hope my words have helped shed some light on issues of abuse, as I'm sure this type of family exists in this world, and someone must give them a voice. I applaud Roth and Stuart for their serious and sober look into this very troubling issue.

"Nice beaver!"
"Thanks, I just had it stuffed."--The Naked Gun