The family in this film experiences catharsis both as an ongoing process and as a final result. As the film progresses the family confronts many stressful events. Elaine struggles financially. She is portrayed as almost desperate to make money, not because of any selfish motivation, but out of a desire to provide for her family. Her catharsis has many ups and downs. She is initially frustrated as one pyramid scheme fails, but finally finds hope with the success of her final scheme. Of course, this success is short lived. Her arrest begins a new traumatic experience as she is separated from her children. This brings us to the final point of catharsis, when she is reunited with, and forgiven by, her children. The children experience a similar series of events, although they have different troubles to confront. The children are focused on making money to purchase their home, but in the course of events their worries evolve differently. Tina focuses overly on getting their home back, while Raymond becomes angry with his mother for abandoning her children just like their father. Again the final catharsis is one of coming together and forgiving. It is particularly interesting that the final scene is so cathartic for all three primary characters, despite the fact that they have such different problems being resolved.
I would also argue that this catharsis is witnessed by the audience, but it is not the same catharsis experienced by the audience. The audience in this film is likely to be better informed about these pyramid schemes than any of the characters. This story is based on the pyramid schemes of the 1990's. At the time, they were not nearly so well known and it was much easier for people to be caught up in them, especially immigrants who were often targeted. Because the audience has the benefit of present day awareness, they experience the film differently. The audience begins to worry about the family, and what will happen to them, when Elaine is first involved in her pyramid scheme. She is not entirely naive, but seems unaware of how serious the consequences of her involvement may be. Because of this, the audiences fears are different than Elaine's. It is only when she is arrested, that the audience's fears align fully with Elaine's and her children's. For the audience, the catharsis is a final event, in line with the character's. The audience realizes that their fear for the safety of the children, and for the safety of Elaine and her possible arrest, have been resolved.
This is why the final catharsis is so interesting. It involves three separate characters, all with different fears and desires, as well as an audience with a separate outside perspective. It takes all these issues and provides catharsis through forgiveness an acceptance.
While I agree with your catharsis of the characters in the film I would have to differ with the catharsis of the audience. I think you assume more certainty than the majority of the audience has about the pyramid schemes and the standing of the family. I think the audience is weary of the shady schemes right from the beginning, but may not fully know what they are. The wearisome audience becomes more and more suspicious as the film goes on. I think the emotions experienced by the audience are fear and doubt. As scheme after scheme fails and Elaine becomes more and more reeled into the desperation that drives her, the audience becomes more doubtful and afraid for the safety of Elaine and her children. The growing fear and doubt comes to a head when the awful realization is made by the audience that Elaine is involved in illegal activity that may destroy her family. The catharsis experienced by the audience is them letting go of their fear and doubt when in one of the final scenes the audience finds out that Elaine will not be charged and her children will be safe with her.
ReplyDeleteI think the fear and doubt that has been growing in the audience is let go and replaced by hope for Elaine and her children. In the final scene, it is apparent that the children have matured ages throughout the short time span of the film when the daughter states, "We can wait." This implies that she has grown as a person and understands what is going on. Raymond still holds on to hope and stands strong as the man in the family. It is then the revelation is made that Elaine has learned to steer clear of these illegal schemes and must find a new way to provide for her family. It is clear that she has regret for what she has done and the audience can rest easy knowing that she will not involve herself in these pyramid schemes again. In this way the fear and doubt is replaced by hope in the cathartic final scene of the film. The director does a great job of building these emotions, and then relinquishing them in the final scene. The catharsis the audience experiences is undeniable, and while we were watching the film you could literally almost hear a sigh of relief at the final scene...