Thursday, January 10, 2008
Mabel
Given the title of the movie, Mabel is nominally the central character, but we spend at least as much time with Nick and we see nothing of Mabel during her confinement in hospital. Two things I was thinking about when considering Mabel was first, would she have faired better in a different cultural setting? At times she seems, if not completely happy, at least in pursuit of joy. She wants people to dance and sing, and she plays enthusiastically with children, appreciating their unfettered glee in the moment. If Mabel lived in a more expressive culture, say Spain, would she have faired better? Perhaps escaping the label of abnormal, ill? Second, would she have done better with a more supportive and capable spouse? Likewise, would Nick have avoided his violent disintegration if he had been married to the sort of normal woman he no doubt expected?
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5 comments:
Good questions. As for No. 1, regarding the culrural context, I wondered the same thing, because Mabel didn't seem dangerous or anything. She just didn't fit our idea of normal. She makes us uncomfortable because she crosses so many "boundaries." And that was thrown into high relief when the neighbor came over and she was having the kids dance the death of the swan. At first, you could tell, he just thought she was a little eccentric and then he became increasingly worried, then incredulous and angry and frantic. And I was simultaneously thinking, "Yeah, I wouldn't leave my kids with her either" AND "Man, that jerk sure needs to lighten up!" It was marvelous how you the viewer are for and against Mabel at the same time.
I think she might fare better in a different culture, one with fewer expectations regarding manners and "morals" and propiety.
I have no idea how to answer the second question. I could see her doing better with a different sort of husband, but it's hard to imagine it really working with anyone. Is there a type who could manage not to repress her but still not let her stray off the deep end? It's sort of hard to imagine Nick with a "normal" wife, too. Part of his personality seemed to gravitate toward feeling needed by high-maintenance women, to co-dependent drama. Did you notice how he interacted with his mom and Mabel's mom (who were played by Cassavettes' and Rowlands' actual moms!)?
Sorry, guys. I have no cable right now. I'll still try to pick up the movies.
Christy, I have Metropolitan from Netflix if you want to borrow it.
Sure, I'd take it if you haven't sent it back.
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