Ma Vie En Rose

Societal pressures often shape the way people act. This is especially apparent in the differences between the behaviors of males and females. When males and females assume the job of parenting, these roles often persist in their relationship with their children. When one thinks of the typical family, specific roles for a mother and a father come to mind. Mothers are generally more nurturing and accepting, while fathers typically encourage masculine behaviors, with a tendency toward action, sports, and aggression. In the film Ma Vie en Rose, these roles are significant. Ludovic Farbre’s father initially encourages male behavior, while his mother is sympathetic to his desires to act like a girl. As the film progresses, however, Ludo’s parents experience a radical role reversal that has devastating effects on Ludo.

Initially, Ludo’s mother accepts his differences, while his father discourages his feminine behavior. The viewer first sees Ludo’s feminine behavior when he comes to his family’s housewarming party dressed in a pink dress and covered in makeup. The neighbors are stunned by this scene and Ludo is rushed inside. He claims that he “wanted to be pretty”, but all his father can say is “never again”. His mother interjects with

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At this point, something changes inside Mrs. Farbre yells to Ludo, “you’re bent on ruining our lives”. Farbre, however, takes action, and cuts off Ludo’s prized hair.

The victimization of Ludo causes him to be more and more afraid. Farbre tells Ludo, “do whatever feels best”. Yet, these efforts obviously fail, and Ludo steals the role of Snow White in the school play from a little girl. She not only insults him and attempts to physically harm him, but uses the word “bent”, as if to imply that his female actions are what’s destroying the Farbre family. Farbre reverse their reactions to their son and their parenting roles. Farbre, however, yells that Ludo is responsible for his awkward feminine actions. When these efforts to “convince” Ludo fail, he is taken to a psychologist. Almost immediately he begins taking Ludo to soccer games and encouraging him to play hard.

Throughout Ma Vie en Rose, the societal pressures on parents to have a “normal” child become apparent. It is interesting, however, that the character of the father is allowed to grow into a more mature, responsive, and sensitive one following an experience of pain.

Approximate Word count = 873
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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