Thursday, 25 October 2007

Binary Opposites in 'Harsh Times'



I saw this film last night and loved it. Its by the makers of Training Day (another great thriller) and although has a similar plot seems alot darker. It also felt like a modern day Taxi Driver due to it's themes of disheartenment after war and how war can change men. As well as this both films are very much character driven.


You can easily apply Claude Levi-Strauss’s Oppositions to this film:


The very masculine/sexist views of Jim VS Sylvia's strong feminist views

The Urban Landscape of LA VS The rural landscape of Mexico

The violent nature of Jim VS The pacifist nature of Mike
Jim's obeying and calm nature when appling for the police VS His wrecklessness in the rest of the film

Mike's consideration of consequences VS Jim's irrationality

Mike's content at settling down over a courier VS Jim's will to join the 'Fed's' over a family

1 comment:

LATYMERMEDIA said...

excellent application of theory
ms b