The World According to Garp (1982)

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A struggling young writer finds his life and work dominated by his unfaithful wife and his radical feminist mother, whose best-selling manifesto turns her into a cultural icon.

Movie Summary
"The World According to Garp" is a 1982 American drama movie, an adaptation of John Irving's seriously acclaimed 1978 novel of the very same name. Directed by George Roy Hill, the movie stars Robin Williams in among his early movie functions along with Glenn Close and John Lithgow, and explores styles of feminism, sexuality, and fate.

Plot Summary
The film informs the life story of T.S. Garp (Robin Williams), whose mom, Jenny Fields (Glenn Close), conceives him during World War II in an unique, one-sided affair. Jenny brings up Garp alone, eventually ending up being a popular feminist author. Garp matures in this non-traditional family, marries his childhood sweetheart Helen (Mary Beth Hurt), and becomes a writer.

Thematic Explorations
Though it provides as a domestic drama, "The World According to Garp" utilizes this backdrop to delve into complex subjects. Garp's eccentric life and responses navigate themes of sexual politics, self-discovery, and the unpredictability of life. The film is half-satirical, showing the unreasonable sides of extreme feminism and conservative backlash. Representing the unraveling of conventional gender expectations, the film boldly highlights the character of Roberta Muldoon (John Lithgow), a former football player transitioning to woman, winning Lithgow an Academy Award nomination.

Characterization
Robin Williams gives a nuanced performance as Garp, a character on a continuous mission for significance and identity versus his non-traditional childhood. Glenn Close provides an engaging launching as Jenny, a female who declines societal standards, becoming an icon for innovative women of her age. John Lithgow's groundbreaking portrayal of Roberta Muldoon, highlights the struggles and humanizes the experiences of the transgender neighborhood.

Reception
At its release, the movie got mixed evaluations, with some critics applauding its audacity in dealing with non-traditional themes and others discovering it an unacceptable adaptation of the book. Nevertheless, the performances of the film's lead, especially those of Glenn Close and John Lithgow, received extensive crucial praise. Glenn Close was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her movie debut, while John Lithgow received an election for Best Supporting Actor.

Tradition
Over the years, "The World According to Garp" has actually been acknowledged for its brave expedition and realistic depiction of topics seldom taken on by mainstream movie theater of the time, such as feminism, adultery, and transgender issues. It holds an essential location in movie history, primarily through its well-regarded efficiencies and the smart way in which it encapsulates complex and delicate topics in its narrative. In essence, the movie delves into the human condition's intricacy, striking a chord with audiences long after its release.

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