MovieChat Forums > Femme Fatale (2002) Discussion > What is the meaning of...

What is the meaning of...


the overflowing aquarium?

the old guy at the wedding staring up at the cloudy sky?

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It's a metaphor that refers to the overflowing bathtub which ties right in with the twist. Flowing water is a heavily used motif in this film. If you watch the film, closely, you will see NUMEROUS other clues that will point you in to the twist. Pay attention to water in the form of pictures, being poured, posters, Deja Vue, etc. Check out all of the clocks during and after the suicide scene.

The guy staring at the clouds is there to tie the two alike sequences together. He has a memorable face. He makes the sunlight that comes out at the end more significant. The device pulls everything together.

This gets my vote as one of the best films of the year. To hell with the thrashing it's getting by mainstream critics. They're ignorant and easily confused, obviously.

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I think the guy looking at the sky was the photographer waiting for the sun to come out of the clouds so he could take the wedding photo.

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[deleted]

I beleive it was synonymous with the character Laura Ash in the overflowing bathtub.

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[deleted]

The photographer at the wedding is looking at the sky beacuse he's worried there wont be enough sunlight to take the picture.

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The photograpehr is looking to sky for the sun so he can take (or not take) the wedding picture depending on wether he wants the sun (and the sharp shadows) or not. It is also a clue for the accident where the sun reflects in the necklace hanging from the the rear view mirror in the truck that will accidently hit Mr Black Tie and the other guy instead of the girl.

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Right. The photographer (and how many there are) is apprehensive that the sun won't come out and he won't get his shot. And when the sun does come out, its glare passes through the pendant, blinding the trucker. De Palma is increasing suspense, telling us to wait for it, wait for it... and so the film comes to a climax

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The overflowing aquarium is a hint that you are watching a dream sequence.

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The overflowing aquarium is a hint that you are watching a dream sequence.

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