Films about redemption

Films about redemption Apr 20, 2017 19:13:18 GMT Doghouse6 likes this

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Post by spiderwort on Apr 20, 2017 19:13:18 GMT

Apr 20, 2017 16:37:25 GMT Doghouse6 said:

It also occurs to me that this theme may be represented, in at least a passing way, in what may be more films than not: a protagonist or major character develops or is transformed and benefited by events in some way that imparts a personal lesson and/or a different and better path for the future.

Or would that be, as in london's phrase in an earlier reply, a bit of a stretch?

Now we get into character arcs in general, not necessarily those that encompass redemption, though obviously for this thread they do revolve around that subject. But in general:

Assuming from the start that we're talking about good writing, I feel that the most interesting films are those in which characters undergo growth and change, even if it's for the worse. And sometimes it can be someone besides the protagonist who changes and grows, as in HUD, for example. In that case, Hud undergoes no real change, but his nephew Lonnie changes immensely, which is a satisfying turn of events in an extremely well-written film.

Without question, in the best possible writing these transformational arcs are absolutely driven by the nature of the story being told and the characters who inhabit the story, and are never imposed arbitrarily. But they do (as in the case of HUD) provide the audience with an emotional release that I think is an essential part of good drama. I know I feel cheated if I'm not able to experience that closure, even if it all comes to a bad end.

It's somewhat analogous to music, I think, wherein the human ear wants to hear that final resolving chord. In drama, whether the outcome is good or bad some growth and change is a satisfying, enlightening part of the journey.

Does that character change have to be about redemption? Absolutely not. But can it be? Most assuredly.