The Prior family face a continuing conflict between family members and after a series of events, It ends in a tragedy due to a “ simple misunderstanding”. These key factors are put in place in this film to allow us to reflect on what the characters experience, how that Influences our own lives and how we can learn from these Important human truths that we inescapably experience in this film. Facing our personal demons Is important as It Is the only way we can either break bad habits or overcome challenges that are bigger than we think we’re capable of.
In every human being there Is a mechanism which makes us want to escape reality In retain situations, like the main character Paul Prior (Matthew McFadden) did in this film in situations that were uncomfortable for him and out of his control. The paradox to this Is confronting the people around us In a violent or negative way as a form of defense against these personal demons we acquire. There is a scene were Paul is in the bath, the Icy lighting filter adds to the cold, eerie feeling we can already feel Just by looking at the blank, empty expression on Pall’s face.
Through a series of flashbacks we discover that Paul left home at the age of seventeen, much to his rather Andrews despair. These flashbacks are the foreshadowing for his current hurt and struggle, as they are the consequences of him running away from his demons all those years ago due to the fear of confrontation. Cell (Emily Barclay) Is crucial to Pall’s healing as their newly formed friendship is empowering for the both of them.
Paul sees the talent and potential in Celia with her writing and enthusiasm to learn new things.
He does things to support and encourage Celia, like making her enter a short story competition, where she ends up coming first runner up with her ice The Day the Tide Went Away. As time advances Paul begins to realize the importance of sharing his troubles with those who he wants to love and be loved by. Null we are at peace with ourselves, we are not fit to be loved, or love anyone thrillingly. It sounds so simple, to be happy then we are able to love, but It is our personal demons that are so much bigger than us that stops us from achieving this easily.
Through a viceroy from a teenaged Celia, who Is the subject of the dysfunctional Prior family troubles, we are able to learn about the loss of innocence in youth. As we ear the words from her short story ring in our ears in the viceroy, it warns us of the troubles to come. “ Adults continued to gossip and fight over the same old things” – instead of listening to Cilia’s warning and choosing a path of forgiveness. We feel t Off even question why the ocean left in the first place. ” The tragic death of Celia could have been prevented if the adults had only given her a chance to speak and listened to her.
As shown in her writing skills, we know that Celia is mature and talented, destroying the stereotypical teenage image.
This is a perfect example of how adults often underestimate the youth and the intelligence they behold, even when they possess huge potential. This reminds us of the importance of respecting, accepting and listening to the youth. Although youth typically view situations differently to adults, they see things through a different eye and that may be a certain vision that is lacking in adults. Celia is an extremely insightful young girl, which is how Paul was as a teenager.
We see a lot of Paul in Celia and Celia in Paul.
Both Celia and Paul are aware of the flaws in their society and know that to fulfill their dreams and ambitions hey must move away from the small town of Rapper Junction, and it is society Job to not destroy the hope they obtain. The last human truth we learn about in this film is that we all inevitably have flaws, regrets and all make mistakes at points in our lives. This is shown through the sub- plot that follows the story of Penny and Andrew. Their relationship ultimately breaks down due to a lack of the ability to communicate with one another.
Penny is responsible for Cilia’s death in a aggressive, irreversible outburst of built up confused emotion and potential mental instability. Penny’s upheaval in anger is sparked by the sudden appearance of Celia in her clean, sterile home. This is a shocking interruption into the sanctuary of the agoraphobic woman. In a moment of contradicting emotions displayed by a fragile Penny, she asks Andrew “ is it true? ” – assuming that he was having an affair with Celia. However, due to the communication break down, Andrew misunderstands what she is referring to and also makes an assumption that Penny is in fact asking about Cilia’s birth parents.
Although Andrew stands blankly with no response, which led to Cilia’s tragic death. As Andrew says to Paul at the climax of the film “ a simple misunderstanding” – this phrase has the ability to take the life of an innocent girl away, but also confirms how no one is perfect. However, it is open to interpretation whether a “ simple misunderstanding” is enough to gratify what Cilia’s life was worth, because it seems as though her whole life was a simple misunderstanding, both beginning and ending that way. This may reassure viewers to consider their own drawbacks and it implies that mistakes easily be made even with the best intentions.
McCann encourages us to be aware of the implications of our mistakes, strongly condoning us to be careful in our relationships and interactions and to be cautious about thinking through the consequences of our actions before acting in recklessness. In the film In My Father’s Den, the director Brad McCann projects key ideas to the viewers which we are forced to take in, think about and reflect into our own lives as lessons and truths.
This film captivates viewers and allows them to reflect on key ideas. Not only do we learn about the key ideas, but are implemented with great insight into how we can apply them into our everyday lives.
The basis of all these lessons learnt in this film is communication. We begin to realize that if this family would not have happened. Due to the lack of communication this allows the characters to be faced by their personal demons, the loss of an innocent youth and a reoccurring pattern of mistakes being made. From these actions and the influence the characters have on viewers, we take into consideration the impact such troubles would have on our own lives and how we could incorporate the lessons learnt about human truths into society in order to better it.