Whats Eating Gilbert Grape (the journeys)
Journey is explored in vitally different ways in the film "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape". Ostensibly, journey implies movement but it’s the nature of this movement that lies at the heart of the film. In the film the audience is confronted with Gilbert’s (the main protagonist) personal, psychological journey from emotional entrapment to inner freedom.Journey is initially perceived through the effective long shot of the endless road that stretches towards the horizon symbolically suggesting possibilities and opportunities or in other words freedom. However they appear just out of reach of Gilbert who remains stationary in the foreground, sitting while Arnie, his mentally-handicapped brother, is strutting around impatiently. Gilbert’s voice over informs the responder "watching the camper’s is our yearly ritual" and that "they are just doing the right thing, passing through." Also emphasizes a lack of journey on Gilbert’s part and it is immediately obvious why. As the caravans come into view in the distance the peaceful music picks up and the caravans seem to be ‘sparkling’ from their reflectors. This symbolizes a form of escape. They are free unlike Gilbert who is stuck in a hopeless town. The camera pans to Endora which is po . . .
Becky’s outfits show her unconventional, freewheeling personality. " At the end of the narrative, the viewer is led to believe Gilbert has become a different person, someone no longer crippled by guilt and despair. She knows Gilbert is a fine person although he doesn’t realise it himself. She is capable of meaningful relationships in that she gives as well as she takes. She possesses wisdom beyond her years. He is the "knight in shimmering armour" because his light comes from within. The film concludes powerfully and with a circular movement that symbolizes journey’s end in the final sequence it is him this time pacing around impatiently in the foreground, not Arnie. Her lipstick shows her passionate nature and her bicycle is a symbol of freedom and the open road. This is clearly demonstrated when despite having walked out on Mrs Carver she can still say when she is leaving "it would be nice to have my boys turn out like you. " He is taking control of his life and emotional feelings. At various points during the film, Gilbert has moments of epiphany which clearly indicate increased awareness on his emotional journey. Becky’s freedom is further symbolized by the water hole and its open beauty and her temptation of Gilbert, to break new ground and so something different. Compare the freedom of the close-up of watermelon sequence to the suffocation of the family’s meal at home. He expresses reciprocal love rather than lust when he takes the initiative in kissing Becky, later in the film whereas initially she instigates the first kiss. " The camera angle is always looking up on her to portray how large a burden she is psychologically as well as physically.
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