This topic had so much potential, and the movie started off well but then completely fell apart. I was sorely disapointed with it, I hope that someone really makes a movie or, better yet, a documentary that delves into this condition a little bit further, because this movie didn't.
"We got no food, no jobs... our PET'S HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!"
60 Minutes or a show like it had a feature on people who want limbs amputated. It really delved into their mindsets (not to say they all have the same mindset). Several pre- and post-amputation people were interviewed. At least one expressed regret after the fact, and it was stated that he/she was far from alone.
SPOILER
The thing I don't get is, did she really want to be paralyzed? The answer seems to be yes. On one hand, the "plot" seems to be she's helping him out. But (a) how could she possibly know he was "hysterical," and (b) after his true condition is revealed, she still talks positively about being paralyzed. So I'm left with this conclusion: this film asks us to believe that a person who thought she paralyzed someone else would (for that reason or coincidentally?) want to be paralyzed herself? It didn't seem like her desire was tied to him, though. Her reasons for wanting to be paralyzed (sitting down, looking like a queen) don't seem to have anything to do with it.
It was interesting. And I'm really glad the shoes weren't magical. "Like Mike" was a pretty crappy movie, despite Lil Bow Wow's Oscar-worthy performance.
I'd be interested in seeing that 60 Minutes, it is such an interesting topic, I don't know why more news shows and such haven't picked up on it. I only saw a "Nip/Tuck" episode about it.
I think her desire to be paralyzed had something to do with the guilt she felt at causing the accident. I don't know, the whole plot was so bizarre, I still don't understand the damn shoes.
"We got no food, no jobs... our PET'S HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!"
i am paralyzed due to a spinal-cord injury, will I be offended?
shareare you easily offended? I'm disabled, and I am expecting to be happy there is a movie dealing with disability that seems to go deeper than being cared for or being courageous. On the other hand, I will be very interested to see what they do do. The intent is not to offend, anyway
shareI'm disabled and I wasn't offended by the movie. Although I think if you are yourself a wheelchair user, para, quad, etc. then you may feel a sort of let down at the resolution of the film (I did). At least they portrayed a disabled guy having a relatively normal life, as you say not "being cared for or courageous." Someday they may even make movies that feature characters who are disabled without the movie focusing on the disability, what a concept!
shareI honestly don't see how anyone would be offended by this movie.
Great script, great acting, great everything.
It drew me in and kept me interested till the very end.
No Explosions or car chases or CG or nudity, and I am a big fan of all of those things!!!!!!!!
Brilliant acting, especially by Vera Farmiga, who I am sure we will be seeing much more of.
This movie just worked very well and I am actually surprised to hear it is a first time director, if that is correct.
If so, one to watch to be sure.
This is the Art of film making.
Bravo to all involved ;o)
Not only was I not disappointed, I am recommending to everyone I know.
This is my take on it, judging from the things she said:
She was only a little girl when she killed his parents and sent him into a life in a wheelchair. She basically ruined his life.
As a coping mechanism for her guilt, she developed a fetish for being disabled/paralyzed as she matured. She subconsciously convinced herself that being disabled isn't such a horrible, life-shattering thing--it's a GREAT, marvelous thing. In fact, a life of disability is better than being able-bodied. This can be seen where she is raving about how AMAZING all the crap disabled people have to put up with is (i.e. staring, not being able to catch a cab, inaccessible buildings, etc).
Consequently, from her perspective her guilt over what she did to him can be lessoned as she didn't completely ruin his life (aside from killing his whole family) since being in a wheelchair isn't so bad. Obviously she didn't do this consciously and I don't think she is aware of it, but I think that is the psych perspective the director had in mind.
The other reason she wants to be in a wheelchair (and specifically have Isaac paralyze her) is the quid pro quo, the tit-for-tat part of the story. Even though on one level she thinks life in a wheelchair is marvelous, another part of her knows that she gave him a crap deal and wants to "atone" for her actions in a f* ucked up, tit-for-tat way.
Mind you, she was probably pretty messed up before the accident--it just served to f* ck her up more. The reason she was driving underage was because she took the opportunity to run away from home while her alcoholic mom was passed out drunk (You see little Fiona tossing a bag in the trunk and the pompoms were just her toys).
I don't think Fiona was trying to "help" Isaac when she sought him out, aside from intending to let him have "revenge" whether he wanted it or not. She wanted to resolve issues for herself (her guilt, why she has this weird fetish). She obviously had no idea that his paralysis wasn't physical.
After she finds out he can walk, the fetish doesn't go away. Also even though he can walk, he's still been stuck in a wheelchair for nearly 20 years and his parents are still dead, so her guilt doesn't go away either.
I totally agree. I think the reason she seemed psycho or "out of it" for all but the ending of the film was because she was trying to keep her guilt under a tight wrap.
shareThere's a documentary called "Whole" that might interest you.
shareThank you, I got "Whole" from Netflix a week or so ago, I found it to be a little slow, but I got more of it than I did the movie. I think this topic is so fascinating.
"We got no food, no jobs... our PET'S HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!"
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it's a solid movie, and like most movies, it is about the characters in it. it is not a list of facts about a disorder. use the internet, you'll probably find the facts you're looking for.
shareI disagree. I think this was a really good movie. There was a lot going on between the lines. I think it could have gone further. Delved deeper. But no one bothers today to write such scripts. I think for this day and age this was a fantastic piece of work. Really great storyline. Brilliantly shot. Perfect casting. Interesting characters. Very intreguing story.
Definitely the best film I've seen in the last two years. I thought this was a genuinely good movie and important exploration of human issues.