Let me start by saying that despite what some people may tell you, "Jaws" is not about a shark.
This becomes apparent pretty early on as we start to see multiple attacks; the "shark's" behavior seems deliberate, sadistic... it has no motives, nor does it kill for food, it's nature is just pure evil. Clearly this is not a shark at all, rather, what we're dealing with is some monstrous killing machine. Story wise I think this is ideal because, unlike with an actual shark, there's no chance of feeling sorry for it. In fact this generated such an intense hatred for the shark, that the audience burst into applause and cheering when Brody finally kills it.
The actual story is about Martin Brody, and we learn a number of important things about him in the first few scenes.
- He's new to town, and is trying to make a home for himself and is family. On a superficial level he seems to be doing well; his wife and kids are happy, he's the chief of police and everyone in town seems to like him and wants his help... but he still seems to feel like he doesn't fit in.
I think the core of this movie is about Brody trying to find his place in the community, a sense of 'belonging'. There are 2 main factors that clearly define his status as an "outsider"
1. The townsfolk refer to themselves as "Islanders", and they say this title is reserved strictly for people born on the island, you can never "become" and islander, no matter how long you live there.
-The community is biased against him
2. - Brody hates the water. Swimming, boating, ferries, all of it. Living on an island town full of sailors and fishermen, this represents a significant ideological disconnect from his society.
- He is biased against the community
Brody's disconnect from the town comes to a head when the shark attacks begin, and his ideals (closing the beaches to protect the people) conflict directly with his desire to 'become an Islander' (closing the beaches would mean destroying the towns livelihood, undoubtedly he would be exiled from the community). He gives in and obeys they Mayor ( sacrificing his own ideals, to appease the town )
A boy is killed by the shark. Brody realizes that sacrificing his ideals is not an option. This time he tries to convince the Mayor/Town to see things his way, ( trying to change the town, to match his ideals) but is rejected.
The shark kills again. Ultimately Brody seeks a compromise and is able to reconcile his ideals (protecting the people) with the needs of the town (keep the beaches open). He is able to achieve this by facing his fear of water and going after the shark...
With the shark dead, Brody is a hero and as such will be loved and accepted by the town, regardless of where he was born and by overcoming his own bias he is finally able to feel at home on the island.
The finals lines of the movie, as they swim back to shore:
I think the core of this movie is about Brody trying to find his place in the community, a sense of 'belonging'. There are 2 main factors that clearly define his status as an "outsider"
1. The townsfolk refer to themselves as "Islanders", and they say this title is reserved strictly for people born on the island, you can never "become" and islander, no matter how long you live there.
-The community is biased against him
2. - Brody hates the water. Swimming, boating, ferries, all of it. Living on an island town full of sailors and fishermen, this represents a significant ideological disconnect from his society.
- He is biased against the community
Brody's disconnect from the town comes to a head when the shark attacks begin, and his ideals (closing the beaches to protect the people) conflict directly with his desire to 'become an Islander' (closing the beaches would mean destroying the towns livelihood, undoubtedly he would be exiled from the community). He gives in and obeys they Mayor ( sacrificing his own ideals, to appease the town )
A boy is killed by the shark. Brody realizes that sacrificing his ideals is not an option. This time he tries to convince the Mayor/Town to see things his way, ( trying to change the town, to match his ideals) but is rejected.
The shark kills again. Ultimately Brody seeks a compromise and is able to reconcile his ideals (protecting the people) with the needs of the town (keep the beaches open). He is able to achieve this by facing his fear of water and going after the shark...
With the shark dead, Brody is a hero and as such will be loved and accepted by the town, regardless of where he was born and by overcoming his own bias he is finally able to feel at home on the island.
The finals lines of the movie, as they swim back to shore:
No comments:
Post a Comment