I’m finding it hard to try to figure out who is the hero in this film, but have come up with nothing. Instead, I have decided that both Georgia and Sadie are heroes in this novel for they foil each other well.
Clearly, the two sisters are very different; it is surprising that they came from the same household. Georgia, a wife and mother of three kids doesn’t have the type of excitement in her life, while Sadie loves desperation and other intense feelings. Without each other, they may stray too far to their poles, Georgia being ‘boring’ and Sadie possibly dying from her usage and party lifestyle.
While it may seem that Sadie is ruining Georgia’s life (which she may have at some points), it is unintentional. For example, during the extremely awkward and long solo during the AIDS benefit concert, Sadie thought she was doing a great job singing; meanwhile it looked bad for Georgia. For those of you who have never heard Van Morrison’s “Take Me Back”, I encourage you to listen to it, even further showing the painful version Sadie portrayed.
Sadie lives a life filled with boys, parties, drinking and drugs and it appears she wouldn’t want it any other way until she overdoses. She seems to want the life her sister has, but goes about achieving it in all of the wrong ways. When she is in the hospital, Georgia is right by her side to help her up, regardless of their past. Sadie definitely plays the role of the crazy, needy sister (comparable to a damsel in distress) and Georgia comes to her rescue. As her role model, she is there to encourage Sadie and also tell her the hard truth, such as when she reveals that Sadie can’t sing.
It takes Georgia a while to come to her sister’s rescue. The audience watches Sadie crumble as she watches men leave and has embarrassing encounters due to drugs and alcohol and Georgia just puts her down. Even Jack stands up for her, describing her as original. When Sadie really needs someone caring in her life, Georgia shows up.
I believe that Sadie needed saving the most, but Georgia benefited from the presence of her sister. She not only had a more interesting life to say the least, but also was able to see how fortunate she was. She seems to have everything she needs.