MovieChat Forums > Boundin' (2004) Discussion > Reactionary message

Reactionary message

posted 15 years ago by lubin-freddy
5 replies | jump to latest

In response to another thread, suggesting a "positive" message, I wish to suggest an alternative view, that the message is actually reactionary.

The "accept what you are" message is, on the most basic level, a good one. However, this isn't the reality of the film. The lamb isn't being told simply to be himself, take pride in himself, etc., but to accept his exploitation.

He's being grabbed without permission, exploited, and thrown back to cope with his life. Is THIS what children should be taught to accept? Is this a positive message.

"Sometimes you have to take the bull by the tail, and face the truth" - G. Marx

[–] Salads 15 years ago

Actually, I thought it's surprisingly blunt and honest for a kids' cartoon. Sometimes in life you are screwed by forces beyond your control. You can't force people to treat you with kindness and decency. You can't stop bad things from happening, but you can control how you respond. That's not accepting exploitation as much as it's accepting the ups and downs of life.

[–] lubin-freddy 14 years ago

I understand your point, Salads, and understand what the filmmakers at Pixar meant to say.

We are, however, not talking about forces of nature, which are "beyond your control", but real exploitation by people. Are we supposed to accept this, and be happy about it?

"Sometimes you have to take the bull by the tail, and face the truth" - G. Marx

[–] Salads 14 years ago

There are situations in life- some caused by people, some not- where you can't really control what happens to you. All you can control is your response.
In these situations I personally try to remain upbeat, because I don't really have any other option that would leave me in a better head space.
I also interpret the situation in the cartoon to be less "human-caused" and more "metaphorical"; I see the hand of the shearer as being more like the hand of god than anything else. This turns the cartoon into something more abstract, and maybe more philosophical.
But even taken literally, what else is the lamb supposed to do? If it leaves its rock, it would probably be killed and eaten by some predator, or hit by a car.

[–] lubin-freddy 14 years ago

I also interpret the situation in the cartoon to be less "human-caused" and more "metaphorical"

Again, I understand your point, but I can't ignore the fact that we're talking about real economic exploitation. His very body is being used, without any compensation, for someone else's monetary gain.

But even taken literally, what else is the lamb supposed to do? If it leaves its rock, it would probably be killed and eaten by some predator, or hit by a car.

So, it's better to be a slave, exploited and stuck on a rock, than to seek freedom? Is that the message we should be giving to children?

Again, I DO like the film. I'm just bothered by how I understand the message.

"Sometimes you have to take the bull by the tail, and face the truth" - G. Marx

[–] sunrays6 14 years ago

I agree with Salads. This is a movie for both kids and grown-ups. The story, music, rhymes... are for kids and teaches how to be cheerful and optimistic during ups and downs. Whereas for grown-ups, it tells how to face life when there are times one can't control it. This is the metaphor that grown-ups should understand from this film, as said by Salads.

Is that the message we should be giving to children?

Children can't able to think like how you said. They understand only what is shown literally, not allegorically. Only those grown-ups who can't figure out this allegory find it lame and "only for kids".
Thinking logically one can understand that sheep can able to fight other sheeps or animals which are weaker than himself but not humans. This is an example for the allegory "forces that one cannot control". This is true in real life too.

This is what makes it a great film.