Sister James replays evidence in her head and tries to decide whether or not Father Flynn was abusing Donald. Her facial expression is a perfect example of how an actress does not have to speak for her thoughts to be known. She is looking into the sky with a puzzled look where you can tell that she doesn't want to believe that it is true but simply cannot choose. Over her shoulder is shown a statue of the Virgin Marie but its shadow is also shown as dark to represent the lack of clarity in the situation. James however, represents the positive side of moral ambiguity because she is always very kind and has strong morals, while Judah ignores the consequences to help keep his "happy" life afloat.
The shot of Judah has background dialogue of him talking to himself, presumably his thoughts about his affair and the idea of her murder. What is so interesting is that the director (Woody Allen) doesn't need to include the dialogue and the same picture is portrayed by the imagery. I actually watched the scene with the sound off and Judah's character has the look of someone who is made sick to their stomach by the issue hanging over them. Judah must decide whether to tell his wife of his affair or to take the path of "having her taken care of." The sheer idea of someone dying as result of him directly is a struggle of moral values vs. personal gain. His fear is that of he goes through with it he will feel guilty and that ends up being correct. After she is killed, Judah begins to feel extremely anxious and guilty to the point where it affects his well being. These portrayals of moral struggle are probably far larger than any we will have to experience but on a bigger scale, these teach us of the importance and sometimes ignorance of moral values for the better of oneself.
swell job here Nate. I really liked your comparison. However did you consider the religious aspect of the films. Obviously Sister James is religious but Judah is not. Could that have anything to do with his uncertainty?
ReplyDeleteAlso after Judah orders the killing and realizes what he has done he falls back on his religion.
but you did a great job.
I noticed that a lot of people used that picture of Sister James in their comparisons, and at first I didn't see much in it. I hadn't even noticed the shadow of the statue of Mary until you mentioned it, but after seeing it, I can't help but think that in this shot there is an idea of light on one side and dark on the other, with Sister James in the middle. Perhaps the two sides of her thinking, and /or a visible metaphor for human morality. Another thing, I noticed in that shot, and this is just food for thought, but you mentioned her facial expression and I've noticed that in most shots with Sister James, she is either staring far off into space, or in this shot, it seems as if shes looking up, as though searching for an answer from something outside herself. Gotta say though, I really like your focus on facial expression and I think you have a solid idea here.
ReplyDeleteGreat image choices, Nate, but I have a question about your comments on "Doubt." When you write, "James however, represents the positive side of moral ambiguity because she is always very kind . . ." how does "kindness" represent a positive side of moral ambiguity?
ReplyDeleteI'm also not sure of what you mean by "side."
Hope this helps . . .