Prior to watching the film, the class briefly discussed the likes of Charlie Chaplin and his daughter, Geraldine Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin was one of the most notable actors of the silent film era, with his most famous film being Gold Rush (1925). This relates to the film Talk to Her because of Benigno's obsession with Alicia, the dancer who he watches across the street from his house at the dance studio. His fetish with Alicia is partly inspired by a silent film he saw called Shrinking Lover. In this film, a scientist accidentally drinks some sort of potion and ends up having intercourse with his lover's still body. In the film, the scientist deems it as an act of worship, not forceful penetration. Benigno thinks of his acts on Alicia that ended up impregnating her and sending him to prison the same way.
2. Find a related article and summarize the content:
Talk to Her is one of Almodovar's calmer, laid-back films. However, it still does not lack any theatrical, mischievous, on-edge suspense. The story of two men's love for two women who are lying in comas. Marco, a journalist who falls in love with Lydia, a female bullfighter who has been mauled during a fight by a bull and now lies immobile in a coma. And Benigno, who is a nurse caring for Alicia, the beautiful dancer who he had had his eye on for a while before she ended up in a coma. Almodovar creates this sort of imaginative sympathy for the two male lead characters (especially Benigno). He somehow makes the rape of Alicia and its aftermath be seen as a tragic story of the ending of a relationship. Leaves the viewers thinking about how the rape should even be perceived, should you feel sorrier for Alicia or for Benigno? Almodovar is known as a director usually focusing on women in lead roles, but it is the men who are such in this film. But the men don't have a problem getting in touch with either of their feminine side.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/aug/23/1
3. Apply the article to the film screened in class:
The article definitely supported the way I thought about and perceived the film. The reviewer did a great job of breaking down the film from different perspectives. The director definitely wanted the two main characters (Marco and Benigno) to be controversial for viewers to form mixed opinions and feelings about them. Whether to feel sympathetic towards them or not, or more towards the women they love. What I took from it was Marco's unconditional love and support for Benigno, even when it seems to be clear that Benigno is suffering from some sort of mental problems/illness. He never gives up on him, continues to visit him in prison and helps him out with his lawyer. I also feel as if this is a story about fate, how Marco and Alicia end up meeting in the same theatre across from Benigno's house. Which also forces you to think, is Marco a bad friend to the now dead Benigno for being with Alicia? The director did a great job of giving the viewer mixed feelings, emotions, and opinions about the characters.
4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussion, and the article:
I thought this was the best film we have watched so far in this class. The suspense, emotion, and overall mood of the film was really good. The balance between the flashbacks and present time. The dialogue, music, it all gelled together perfectly. The acting was excellent, especially from Benigno's character. The director did a great job of making the viewer form different opinions and perspectives on the characters, based on their numerous actions and the differences between them. He really made you think whether certain characters were good people or not. Made you dig deep and question their morals and values. And the ending, meeting in the same place the film started in. Overall great film.
Citations:
http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B02E5D8153AF931A25753C1A9649C8B63
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/08/08/talk_to_her_2002_review.shtml
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/aug/23/1
CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM
1) ( ^ ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.
2) ( ^ ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.
3) ( ^ ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
4) ( ^ ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
5) ( ^ ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.
6) ( ^ ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.
7) ( ^ ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.
8) ( ^ ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.
Name: _Cameron Beall_____________________________________ Date: ________2/15/18____________________
1) ( ^ ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.
2) ( ^ ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.
3) ( ^ ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
4) ( ^ ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
5) ( ^ ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.
6) ( ^ ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.
7) ( ^ ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.
8) ( ^ ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.
Name: _Cameron Beall_____________________________________ Date: ________2/15/18____________________
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