Two films from Rainer Werner Fassbinder, already reviewed twice before on this blog for Fox and His Friends and Ali: Fear Eats the Soul.The two themes that combine all four of these films are loneliness and hurt. Both themes tied together under the umbrella of relationships.
Whether it's homosexual in nature, between people of different races and ages, between a manipulative woman and her lovers, or a battered old hag and her manipulative lesbian lover, Fassbinder didn't seem to see too much into relationships. And he was really unwilling to make anyone the hero, or good guy.
Bitter Tears ... and ...Maria Braun are particularly good bookends. Both feature manipulative and borderline sociopathic or sadistic women hellbent on hurting everyone in their path -- from daughters, husbands, former lovers and friends. Nothing will get in the way between them and a good screw. Whereas Braun set her sights on making money, there was still the inkling of insecurity. As if when she was at the very top, even she knew it was temporary or not real.
Petra Van Kant, on the other hand, was not on top and she knew it. There was one way up and that avenue was closed and there was nothing she could do about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment