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March 27, 2017 at 3:38 pm #988Sara CookParticipant
Marissa,
I also agree that Canessa and Parrado seem to be the two major heroes in Alive. However, the one thing that I found interesting was that in the book, I felt like Parrado was the more prominent hero whereas, in the film adaptation, I thought Canessa stood out more. This could be attributed to the fact that the movie focuses largely on the early parts of the book and slims down the parts that occur post cannibalism.
Since Parrado is taking care of his sister (and is injured himself) for the first half of the movie, he is not recognizable as a character. He is more alluded to than actually shown as a person. I thought the director held Canessa up on a pedestal as the hero and leader figure as he was the one who appeared to interact with and guide all the other people. Parrado does not become a major player in the plot until he suggests that they start to eat the human flesh. Even after that, Parrado is left under Canessa’s umbrella, in a sense, because he seemingly follows Canessa around and only contributes to discussion in limited amounts. Both Canessa and Parrado act like they are on board with the expedition with only a little push back from Canessa (which does not stand out as much as in the book).
Later in the book, Canessa begins to become more disliked by the group and Parrado becomes the strong and courageous one but that is largely excluded in the film. Yes, you can argue that Canessa comes close to wimping out on the expedition in the film but the part where Parrado is literally dragging him along to the “finish line” is not shown. I think the interpretation of the text by the director suggests that Canessa is the more heroic of the two characters while the book suggests the opposite.
March 6, 2017 at 2:46 pm #968Sara CookParticipantCassidy,
I agree with your analysis of the film and identifying Will as the hero. While I was watching Big Fish, I thought that it was difficult to identify who the hero was. Initially, I saw Edward as the hero but the ending proves Will as the hero. I agree with you that because Will is more dynamic than Ed, he is a hero. Edward is the hero of the fabricated tales but Will is the life hero.
Will’s ability to forgive, even after his father has missed so much of his life, shows a true selflessness that is noble and heroic. He shows his vulnerability by expressing a need for the truth from his father, despite not talking to him for years. The reliance Will places on the truth and family is revealed once he sets aside his stubbornness.
Unlike Will, Edward’s only heroic attributes are shown in the outrageous tales that he tells others. When back in “reality”, Edward exhibits only cowardly characteristics, such as ignoring family obligations and emphasis on fantasy over reality. One could argue that instead of being the hero, Edward, in a sense, enables the hero — Will. His stories inspired Will, even if he did not believe them, and his fathers shortcomings formed him into a better man.
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