MovieChat Forums > En tu ausencia (2008) Discussion > Pablo's Mental State

Pablo's Mental State

posted 14 years ago by JeffL1965
4 replies | jump to latest

A friend stated he thought Pablo was an idiot, possibly a bit retarded. I took offense, as I felt that he was just a victim of circumstance, and being a country boy, he wasn't quite so worldly. My friend changed his mind a bit after I told him to listen to the commentary, as Ivan explained somethings in it. However, he still thought Pablo's father was right for punishing him and calling him an idiot. I disagreed, and still do. After watching the film a few more times, I think that part of is problem is being a country boy, and the abuse of his father. You tell a child he's stupid all his life, he's going to believe it!!!

Later, I felt that perhaps he's a bit like Harry Potter is, at least in the books, a bit socially retarded, due to his upbringing. Not having siblings, and apparently only 1 friend, he doesn't quite know how to interact with other people that well. Other than his early wariness of Paco, he doesn't seem to know how to handle relationships very well, even for a boy of his age. The film doesn't explain why Pablo has no other friends, which I suspect could be due to his father not being very well liked. (Any info about this, Ivan?) But I still don't think that Pablo is an idiot at all, but just a kid who had a hard life.

Anyone else?

Jeff

[–] ynoel-2 14 years ago

This post made me laugh!
That's excellent, there are always many interpretations of each character, but Pablo as mental retard is a new one! :-)
I think the issue at hand here is empathy, or the lack of it.
Pablo is of course not retarded, nor idiotic, though yes he has been bound to inaction/passivity by two things:
1) not being the 'tough country boy', and, as the film suggests, being possibly a future homosexual candidate, he has a love for his father and is under his dominance. It is not uncommon for a kid to be perfectly under the influence of a parent.
2) he is also made passive and unsociable for the simple reason that he accidentally killed his father, and suffers deeply the guilt of his (the basis of his character). It has, in effect, cut him off from his peers. The comment is made in the village when he walks through the square (his head down so as not to look at his old friends) by the girl that they haven't seen him in ages. He has burried himself in a hole, and started living a little life alone. His friendship with Julia is that of two lonely souls with no one else (her with her abuse by the Postman, and the thought of being taken away). Also, it is hardly unusual for a 'different' boy not to have friends and live inwardly (with his toys, his dog).
When Paco arrives, imagine the effect on him! Someone who is interested in him! And a father figure to boot! He becomes jelly, wobbly at the knees.

I realise I don't spell things out in my films, but one really needs empathy towards kids in this case. Without empathy any character, and his decisions, will appear ...well idiotic.

[–] Icelander67 14 years ago

After going through all the 'confused' topics and your replies/answers, I'm more inclined to believe that much of it simply comes down to this:
In America you cannot in any media express the suggestion, or even just the idea, of a 'minor' (how I hate that word, doesn't even exist in my language) having a homosexual crush - and certainly not _love_! - towards an adult.
Your film breaks this BIG, scary Taboo, and when it's such a rarity to find that concept in films, people just don't seem to be able to wrap their head around it.
In mainstream films of today, you can hardly even suggest that a character has _any_ sort of sexual thoughts or desires (let alone tries to act on them) unless they're 18 years old, played by a _very_ obvious 23 year old... and humping a goddamn pie! :p

====
"Never finish what you can't start!" ;)

[–] haileybaron 13 years ago

How does this have ANYTHING to do with what the original poster and the director are talking about?!
If you want to talk about sexually repressed Americans and the homoerotic undertones to this film maybe you should start your own topic and not hijack this thread as your own.
It's simple internet courtesy

[–] JeffL1965 14 years ago

Hi Ivan!

Nice to see you again. I'm eagerly awaiting the dvd releases of your next 2 movies, as I fear they won't make the movie theaters here. The only art theater we had here, closed a few years ago. :(

Thanks for your quick response. I've read it to my friend who feels ashamed. ;) While I do see why he thought that Pablo was like that, I guess I can see inside him a bit deeper than he did, thanks to Gonzalo's acting and your writing/directing.

I understand NOW what you meant. Children are like that. As mean as my own father is, I still followed him around like a lovesick puppy until I was nearly 10 or so. Love and acceptance is something that a kid wants from their parents or other adult in their life. Shame so many don't get it. And it looks like Pablo's mum isn't totally loving with him either. :(

Yeah, I can imagine that accidentally killing your father can really ruin your life, especially in a small village like that, with all the gossips. Especially the store owner. She seems to love to look for things to talk about. :( I didn't like her too much. ;) And it's a shame that Pablo is looked down upon rather than pitied. Surely they all knew his papa was a bastard? And poor Julia. :( I really hope things got better for her as well. I can't imagine having to deal with what she has. :( That postman was/is a real bastard. He could care less about her. All he wants is sex, and that's just wrong. :( Had he loved her, and helped her, I wouldn't be complaining about the sex. She could fall in love with him, but her body language says otherwise. And yes, I can see how important Paco became to Pablo. It's also a shame that Paco is so selfish, that he still wants to blame Pablo for shooting him. It really wasn't all his fault. Yes, he did wrong, but to be betrayed and played for a fool by the two adults who meant the most to him at the moment, is really unforgivable.

Well, I can respect that as a filmmaker, there is only so much you can do on film, and if it wasn't possible for us to chat with you, and learn more about the characters, we might not be reacting in the positive way you wanted. And I thank you for that. :) And I keep hoping we will one day be able to see the uncut version so that more gaps can be filled in for us. Or even read the script or your original story. ;)

Thanks again for being so cool to interact with us. :)

J