Themes and Key Scenes

1. Themes and Key Scenes You may be asked to talk about a theme or about a key scene. Sometimes they ask you to talk about a scene either at the beginning or at the ending.

2. Themes • The idea of redemption. Can you think of any other films where characters had to prove themselves or find forgiveness for something? • Frankie needs redemption from the guilt he carries over his relationship with his daughter.

3. Why does Frankie’s relationship with Katie haunt him so much? • He desires a connection with his child – he feels shut out • She’s his only family • We can assume he has really hurt her • He probably sees a lot of his daughter in Maggie

4. Why is family LOVE so important? • You have a “blood” connection with them that never goes away • You have them your whole life you can’t ‘break up with them’ • You can choose your family and we all NEED family • We feel safe with them, you can trust them • A sense of responsibility to that family unit • We have strong bonds • It’s a basic HUMAN NEED

5. Frankie finds redemption through granting Maggie’s wish • We see this in the final segment of the film • Maggie’s Request • Church Scene • Locker Room Scene • Hospital Scene • It’s important that you learn to discuss these four parts of the end of the film as one ‘key scene/event’

6. Techniques…always techniques • Frankie find redemption through granting Maggie’s wish… • Close ups – of Frankie and Maggie’s faces as she asks him and his realisation of this request. • Religious symbolism – When Frankie goes to church the symbolism of being in a church, asking for guidance and the crucifixes behind him on the pew represent the weight of the guilt and show his desperation for help. Maggie’s necklace is symbolic of her being the way to his salvation/redemption. By doing what she asks, he can set her free and set himself free. • Dialogue – “If you do this thing, you’ll be lost somewhere so deep” “It’s committing a sin to do it. But to keep her alive is killing her” “If she dies today, you know what her last thoughts would be? I think I did all right. I know I could rest with that.” • Symbolism - Mo Cushlie (and the robe he gave her) and the dialogue as Frankie explains it “Mo Cushlie means my darling, my blood” • Lighting – darkness in the locker room and the half lit face in the hospital room show his moral conflict. Also, he walks out of the dark hospital room and down the corridor… and off to eat pie.

7. Why do characters/people need redemption/forgiveness? • To be able to move on • IF you can’t let go of guilt or anger you can’t move on with your life • How can you enjoy anything if you have the weight of guilt, anger or sadness on your shoulders all the time.

8. Event at the beginning/ending • If you are asked to write about a scene at the end of the film you will talk about Maggie’s request and Frankie granting that request and finding his redemption. • If you are asked to write about the beginning of the film you CAN write about Maggie meeting Frankie and asking him to train her. It is not as powerful and you should try to find another question…if you’re stuck this is what you can talk about in the start of the film…

9. As an event at the start of the film… Maggie asking Frankie to train her… • The beginning of the film shows Maggie’s determination and her desire for family love (Theme). You could talk about: • Dialogue: “Boss” “I don’t train girls” “If I was thinking straight I go back home and find a used trailer. Buy a deep fryer and some Oreos. Problem is this is the only thing I ever felt good doing.” “Got any family Boss?... I’ve got a daughter Katie…We’re not exactly close” “How much she weigh?” “What?” “Trouble in my family comes by the pound” • Maggie loves her family and above anything else she wants their love in return. She will never get it but her persistence is endearing to the audience. She teaches us that all families have issues and that they can be painful. However, we can seek love from other places.

10. Close Ups • Her face asking him to train her – her smile • When he wants to take back the speed bag • When he gives her to Sally • When he takes her back from Sally

11. Montage – Her training • Close Up of her feet practising the steps • Long shot of her running down the beach at 3.30 am • Full shots of her training in the dark long after everyone else has left the gym • Her determination for acceptance from Frankie stems from her desire for approval from her family. “This is the only thing I ever felt good doing” . She fights because she’s good at it but she wants to be better, she wants someone to be proud of her – just like we all do. Her father was the only family member that she has any significant connection with and now that he has passed away she searches for it from someone else.