Film Intro"Native Son" is a modern adjustment of Richard Wright's timeless 1940 novel, reimagined by film writer Suzan-Lori Parks and director Rashid Johnson and premiered on HBO in 2019. The movie highlights the life of a young African American man named Bigger Thomas, played by Ashton Sanders, who is struggling to navigate socioeconomic and racial restrictions in the stiff society of Chicago.
Setting and CharactersBigger Thomas ("Big") is a punk-loving, green-haired, bike messenger with an interest in Beethoven. He resides in a cramped apartment or condo with his mom, girlfriend (played by KiKi Layne), and brother or sisters. He feels disappointed with his life and caught in his ghettos. A ray of chance shines when he gets a job offer from an affluent white household, the Daltons, as their motorist. The Daltons include the blind child, Mary (Margaret Qualley), and her progressive hence naïve moms and dads (Bill Camp and Elizabeth Marvel).
Plot DevelopmentHuge quickly immerses himself in the Dalton family, enchanted by their wealth and the reprieve it offers from his rough life. In spite of being treated with artificial approval, Big feels an indomitable stress and alienation. His relationship with Mary increases to a harmful degree leading to a tragic event. On one fateful and inebriated night, Big mistakenly eliminates Mary. In fear of the consequences, he tries to conceal the mishap, leading to further disaster.
Themes and SignificanceThe movie highlights the stereotype of black males as violent or hazardous figures in society. The idea of a 'Native Son,' a term used to explain a person who belongs to a location however has been dispossessed or is treated as an outsider, is elaborately explored in the movie. Big, interrupted by his dilemma, wants to break away from social stereotypes however paradoxically ends up showing them right.
The movie highlights socioeconomic variation, racial predisposition, and its consequential catastrophe. It demonstrates how Big's fate is eventually figured out by the situations he was born into and tries to get away from but can't. His extreme actions are the conclusion of his navigations in the racially polarized world and his continuous resist class structure.
Symbolism and SubtextThe rat is utilized as a repeating theme in the film to symbolize Big's feeling of entrapment. Big is defined by his green hair, which is shown as a sign of rebellion and distinction. The movie features popular themes connecting to loss of sight, both the physical loss of sight of the Dalton's daughter, and symbolic blindness of society to racial concerns.
Conclusion"Native Son" provides a poignant expedition of black identity, power, and fear in a racial society. The grim tale offers insights into Big's nuanced character and the awful repercussions of his actions, intertwined with his terrible destiny. It catches Big's internal struggle and social pressures, delivering an effective and unsettling narrative about race in America. The modern adjustment enables a much deeper dive into the institutional bigotry ingrained in American society. Despite some stunning scenes, it intends to provoke idea, reflection, and conversation.
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