Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Adoption Movie Guide: The Great Gatsby
Jay Gatsby lives a life of luxury on a waterfront home.
Right across the water, a lost love lives with her husband. Gatsby tries to win
her affection with his newly-created identity, and in doing so, to reclaim the
past.
How is This Relevant
to Adoption?
Gatsby changed his name and mannerisms, in the hopes that he
could better his life. He surrounds himself with friends, but feels lonely
among them. In spite of all of some painful experiences, he is described as “the
single most hopeful person.”
Strong Points
The
Great Gatsby has the potential to give positive messages – “Don’t try to relive
the past; enjoy the future,” and “Find contentment in the life you have.”
Some
children and teenagers will connect with the narrator (played by Tobey
Maguire), who expresses that he has had to carry “so many secrets” for everyone
in his life. The narrator finally moves towards freeing himself from the
secrets by writing them down.
Challenges
Lots
of alcohol use, “swinger” parties and violence make this a poor choice for younger
viewers. In one scene, a woman is hit and killed by a car. There is a
murder/suicide.
If
Gatsby is the protagonist, the goal of the film is for him to seduce another
man’s wife.
Weaknesses
The
film is depressing. Gatsby “never accepted his parents,” because he wanted to
be “more” than them. And he ultimately didn’t achieve the goals he had wanted. A
more positive spin on the same message would be, “Find contentment in the life
you have,” but The Great Gatsby doesn’t put it that way. It just seems to
convey a message of hopelessness.
Recommendations
The
Great Gatsby probably won’t appeal to younger viewers. Consider it for
teenagers who might be interested in an action flick.
After the movie
Journaling
often helps people get out feelings and secrets that they don’t feel
comfortable sharing. Think about providing a journal to your teen and letting
him have the time and space to use it.
New to this site? Like this post? Check out the other Adoption Movie Guides!
New to this site? Like this post? Check out the other Adoption Movie Guides!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I've always felt that the Great Gatsby was a story about obsession, unhappiness, and the sad inability to accept and love oneself as well.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see that. It was easy to feel a bit sad and unsatisfied at the end.
Delete