"Raising Arizona" Approaching the Coen Brothers' view of love from the absurdity (the correct way to open this movie)

Alex 2021-11-14 08:01:24

Anyway, this is a movie about love. Anyway, it brings us a hidden sad ending in the movie. The video of the Coen brothers is a perfect storm, or more like a dream. We can never remember the cause of the story in our dreams. We can only wait for this dream storm to come, and we will never forget the vague ending when we wake up. .

The Coen brothers used comedy and absurd coats to show us a simple and sweet love that is not rich and handsome ppt style. Many people may not think that this is a romantic film, the most accurate may be an absurd comedy, but by watching the entire film we can see the original intention of the director.

In the movie, Cage is a stupid thief who has the habit of robbing convenience stores with an empty gun. Of course, the Coen brothers will not explain how his habit comes from, or some of his specific character background. The director uses Cage’s narration directly. We are brought into this storm about love. Regarding the authenticity of the character setting, I personally think that it is better to think about the strange flowers around you, or seriously think about yourself deep in your heart. If we want to have a deeper understanding of the character of Cage, we might as well start from these aspects. 1. Robbery is a hobby rather than a helpless way of making a living. 2. In the beginning, the prison was like home to him. 3. Every time the robbery took a gun without bullets. If you have read Jia Zhangke's "Heaven Is Destined", the wife of social abuser Wang Baoqiang asked him what was interesting. He said that the most interesting is when the gun is fired. It seems that Cage's role in this movie is much more optimistic and positive than Wang Baoqiang's role, more idiot and safer.

Although Cage’s first line told us: "I first met Ed in Tempe, Arizona." But a few minutes later, we may be dispelled by the director’s jumpy narrative and absurd plot. It's the idea of ​​a romantic movie. But when we briefly state the plot of the movie: a habitual offender man in order to reform his lover, the lover collapses after learning that he has no childbearing, and the male protagonist takes risks to satisfy his lover’s crazy ideas in order to comfort his lover. Finally, a couple returns after experiencing various twists and turns. A normal life. Especially at the end of the movie, Cage used a happy dream from this wonderful extreme to let us see from the side a couple who are helpless and regretful but love each other.

Compared with the current domineering president-style bizarre view of love, "Raising Arizona", it appears to be true and romantic. Perhaps the truth should be removed in China. Ironically, if the background of the male protagonist Gao Fushuai is removed from the current love movie, the whole movie will not exist. The story serves the background and compromises the love view of money worship. This is the reality of the current love movie. It's the same in some of today's youth films.

Although we don’t seem to see the main thread of love in this movie, the whole plot is based on love. The most romantic part of the film is that Cage and Holly Hunter lie on a beach chair together, the sky turns dark and dark, and time seems to be still for them. Of course, most viewers may not pay attention to these few seconds of picture.

Is it a movie about love, the audience may suspect it because of its absurdity, how can a dumb thief like a female prison guard? Will the policewoman like the dumb thief? The two of them will get married. Is this true? Is this reasonable?

If everything is reasonable, it may not be love. The most conscientious part of the Coen brothers lies in their emphasis on the uncertainty of life, and the most precious thing is their emotional irrationality. Through this old movie, the director threw our current decadent view of love to the moon bitterly. The materialized concept of love, the speculative vision of love, and the transactional process of love may be the satirical goal of love movies, but they are definitely not the subject of praise. The movie prefers the wrong kind of love, because the audience can't stand the love festival without twists and turns. You may not see the sea and rocks in this movie, but you can feel the absurd love classics from the following plot.

First, although Cage’s character came up and went to jail, when he faced Holly Hunter, he realized that he was extremely confident, optimistic and enjoyable. When you meet the right person, it should be like this. Whether in prison or elsewhere.

Second, when Cage heard that Holly Hunt was dumped by his fiancé, he showed sincere anger. From this we can know that even if his wife was not her in the end, he would bless her for her happiness. This It is true love, although this view of love is becoming less and less nowadays.

Third, when Cage went to jail for the third time, he first asked, have you found your groom. Holly Hunt said not yet, then Cage put the ring on her and told her not to worry, I bought it.

Fourth, Cage described happy times as "Salad Days."

Fifth, Cage sincerely understands and supports his wife's crazy plan and puts it into action to go crazy together. Can he find two more suitable people? So far, the film has entered the main content.

Sixth, the main content of the feature film, may as well regard the child as the relationship between the two, the cellmate is Cage’s previous self, who has always wanted to pull himself back into the vicious circle of the past, while the demon knight has turned his dream into reality It symbolizes his deeper anti-social personality, which only looks at money interests and doesn’t care about feelings at all. The inmates and the devil knight both intend to capture the child, seeming to explain that Cage, who was a habitual offender, has been fighting against the darkest side of himself before, for the relationship between him and Holly Hunter. It is worth noting that Cage accidentally saw the tattoo of the Devil Knight when he was fighting the Devil Knight at the end. He was taken aback for a moment. It seemed to be the same as the tattoo that Cage showed at the beginning.

Seven, the last two returned the child, and Cage took the responsibility alone and agreed with his wife's point of view. Both are too selfish and unrealistic. It is better to separate. And the child's father seems to have transformed into an omniscient and selfless God role. From what they did, they saw that each other had their own merits and advised them not to do stupid things. Because even if he has five children, his wife will still leave him. Yes, the relationship is fragile. Even if the love is unswerving at the time, there will be times when sharing the joys and sorrows. Love should be practiced and cherished.

Seeing this, you may suddenly realize what kind of story the Coen brothers are telling us. When we followed Cage’s narration into his beautiful dream again, we discovered that the Coen brothers expounded one of the most true, lovely and ordinary. Love, all feelings are more or less imperfect, even with sad regrets, but this cannot stop us from working hard for a better future. In the last scene of the movie, Cage opened his eyes from his dream, his eyes calm and quiet.

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Extended Reading

Raising Arizona quotes

  • Dot: [GASPS after seeing Nathan Jr] What's his name?

    Ed McDonnough: Uh... Hi... Hi Junior, till we think of a better one.

    Dot: Why don't ya call him Jason? l just love biblical names. If I had another little boy, I'd name him Jason, Caleb or Tab.

    [GASPS; covers her face with her hands and looks through her fingers]

    Dot: He's an angel! He's an angel straight from heaven! Now honey, I had all my kids the hard way. Tell me how you got this little angel. Did he fly straight down from heaven?

    Ed McDonnough: Well...

    Dot: You're gonna send him to Arizona State.

  • H.I.: What kind of name is Ed for a pretty thing like you?

    Ed McDonnough: Short for Edwina. Turn to the right.

    H.I.: You're a flower, you are. Just a little desert flower.