There are many points throughout the narrative that show Liam looking out to sea...near the sea...How does this quote below fit in to Sweet Sixteen...
The sea, the elemental force living on its own terms, represents a freedom worth striving for by any means. Of course this is an illusion; the tides are controlled by the moon's unseen hand.
Refernece: http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/48/sixteen.php
(The sea, the elemental force living on its own terms)-well to me, like the Sea, Liam is that elemental force, he lives on his own terms after being thrown from his own home by his grandfather. The sea in the film is symbolic as it is recognised throughout the film as Liams sanctuary of sorts, his escape, his place of beauty.
ReplyDelete(represents a freedom worth striving for by any means)- For me this relates to his relationship with his own mother, he is willing to do anything for his mother no matter how dangerous or illegal, he wants his mother out of prison and away from his brutal stepfather.
(Of course this is an illusion; the tides are controlled by the moon's unseen hand.) - This can cover so much of the film, for example- pinballs relationship with liam is strained when they collide with the big gansters, pinball & liam representing the tides while the gangsters are the moon's unseen hand.
It could also be related to the relationship between Liam and his Mother, on the front of things his mother gives the impression she wants all he can give, yet the reality is she wants her old life back and shares none of Liams dreams.
Finally it could be the relationship Liam shares with his sister, they have a true closeness but the Moon's unseen hand just happens to be their mother, Liam is blinded by his love for her and refuses to beleive his sister when she has been the only person who has been there for him.
That quote is perfect and covers so much.
I don't think that i could add much more than what Brian's already said.
ReplyDeleteAlthough in terms of the beach - considering it's supposed to be Liam's place of tranquility and reflection upon his life, it's still not a particularly idelic, tranquil looking place to be. This to me reflected on the fact that he's stuck in such a rundown urban life/town that even the place he escapes to isn't exactly a paradise.
Regarding the image you've displayed here - the water splits his body into 2 halves: this further emphasises his placement within the world. His feet are firmly grounded into the muddy, rundown urban life, suggesting that his body in unmoving from this placement in society. Whereas his head is out into the beautiful ocean; which could reflect on his dreams of wanting a better life and to live in a "paradise" of sorts, and perhaps even better himself (socially or personally).