Why the title Grasshopper?
What comes to mind is that story about the Grasshopper and the Ant, but I can't see any strong parallels between that and this.
Briefly -- and there was a scene to explain this in an early version of the film -- if you capture a grasshopper and put it in a jar with holes on the top, it will try to jump out for a bit, bang its head against the lid and then realize it can't get anywhere and just stop. You can take the lid off and it will no longer try to jump, figuring there's no point as it can't get out, so why even bother?.
I'll leave it to y'all to discuss how this applies to the film.
The scene was removed, along with some grassshopper symbolism, in rewrites as the focus shifted to a story told from Travis' point of view (and it became apparent that grasshopper-wranglers were few and far between). But we had lived with that title for so long, that when Eric was trying to brainstorm new titles (and he came up with several) they all felt too literal and boring. We tried lots, and they didn't have any feeling for us, so Grasshopper it is.
Moviegiraffe, it must suck to sit behind you in the theatre, what with that enormous neck and all.
Mike Sheehan
Editor and Post Supervisor
Wow. I didn't think it was possible to feel any sadder about this film, but that story (as it applies to the film in my mind) makes it even more heartbreaking.
Dang. I may have to watch another comedy!
Speaking (okay writing) of comedy... Funny image re: Moviegiraffe. I hadn't taken the moniker so literally. <g>
Hmm. . . life has dealt Theresa so many bad hands that when she's dealt another instead of playing, she just folds. How's that?
Lol, actually, one time someone put their barefeet on top of my chair (as I was sitting in it, of course) because they didn't see anyone there. It's a horrible life I lead, just horrible.
I have some other questions too:
Was it the constraints of your assignment than made you make this movie as a short, or did you just feel it would be more effective that way?
How did you get the actors?
Something that sort of bothered me was that Travis didn't stay longer in Charleton. It just seemed implausible that he would just continue with his trip even after finding Theresa dead. But I'm just nitpicking.
MAJOR SPOILERS below:
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moviegiraffe0111 wrote:
<< Hmm. . . life has dealt Theresa so many bad hands that when she's dealt another instead of playing, she just folds. How's that? >>
Ah ... that's kind of how suicide works, isn't it? At least from the person's perspective.
The day people kill themselves can be an ordinary day, not necessarily the worst day ever. Although I felt that Theresa's day was pretty low.
First off, if I understood the story, Castleton was not her home town. She didn't even know if the train had stopped there or gone by when Travis asked her over the phone. I took it that she got off the train in Castleton just to return his phone. Then (she said) the station was empty. I assume she didn't want to be alone, so she found the saki bar (and the creep).
When Travis assumed she did it all for a reward, she was really hurt. She had done something generous and he assumed she wanted money. I think part of what hurt so much was seeing herself the way he saw her -- not someone who might do an unselfish favor, but someone who had to have an ulterior motive. After that he added more insults and by the time he apologized, she was no longer letting him in.
I think Terri just wanted a little attention, maybe some kindness, a simple human connection. Instead she ended up with the kind of guy she probably usually ended up with. And he clearly hurt her physically as well as debasing her, as part of his "fun."
She just had enough. Imagine if this day was as good as it got for her. If, in her mind, she had nothing better to expect from life. Pretty grim.
Maybe suicide had been in her mind already (she did have a gun). Maybe an act of kindness that night, instead of what she got and was used to, might have made a difference. Maybe not.
I found this story sad and truthful. We do tend to judge people on appearances and readily categorize them, like Travis, expecting certain types of behavior based on stereotypes and snap judgments. On the other side of it, Terri made a choice to go off with the creep, Ted, (another good acting job, btw) instead of Travis. Probably the kind of choice she had made all the time.
I watched the film again before responding, just to verify my responses. These are still some of the things I get out of Grasshopper (there are more). I'm impressed by how much thought and emotion this little film conjured up for me.
Haven't changed my opinion, I still think it's an excellent short film.
Wow, I really want to see this movie, now!
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears...