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Reflection and Projection:
The Symbolism of Mirrors
* characters perceive themselvesBelow are some instances in the movie.
or
* the movie audience perceives characters
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Lisa is shallow, idealistic and egotistical
On the way to the Kellerman Mountain House, Lisa, holding her hand-held mirror, admires herself, and looks forward to her family's getaway. We get the impression that she cares a lot about her appearance and image.
Lisa admiring herself in a hand-held mirror |
In a deleted scene, Lisa primps some more in a mirror in her hotel room before she goes with her family to eat dinner in the restaurant.
Lisa primping in a mirror in a deleted scene |
Lisa primping in front of a mirror in the family's hotel room |
Lisa HousemanLisa is already thinking about marrying Robbie Gould at this stage and fantasizes about coming back to the Kellerman Mountain House as she later confides in Baby:
God, I'm so sick of this rain. Remind me never to take my honeymoon at Niagara Falls.
Marjorie Houseman
So, you go to Acapulco. It'll be fun.
Lisa Houseman
Where is my bright iridescent lipstick? I know I put it in this drawer.
Lisa Houseman------
I've decided to go all the way with Robbie.
Baby Houseman
No, Lisa, not with someone like him.
Lisa Houseman
Do you think if we came back for a ten-year anniversary, it would be free?
Baby feels embarrassed as her dance lessons begin
Johnny seems frustrated with Baby’s lack of concentration as he starts to teach her. Presented through a mirror (0:02 to 0:17 in the following video) ....
.... with beautifully decorated white-layered paper-cut flowers and peacock feathers around it, Baby is seen practising her steps with Johnny as he corrects her posture.
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Baby is becoming confident and sophisticated
Like mirrors, shoes too reflect Lisa’s shallow, materialistic narcissistic self-indulgence. When her family arrives at the hotel, she gets into a fit when she looks at a worker carrying lots of shoeboxes from one of the guests. Immediately, Lisa complains to her mother that she hasn’t brought her coral shoes that matches her outfit. Lisa has brought ten pairs and is still not satisfied!
For Baby, however shoes reflect her transition from an innocent girl in sneakers into a confident and sophisticated young woman dancing in stiletto heels. Watch the following video clip from 1:30 to 2:17.
Baby even ‘steals’ Lisa’s ‘bright iridescent lipstick’, maybe with the hope of being seen as more ‘grown-up’ by Johnny. (Johnny later tells her that Frances is a’ grown-up’ name when he asks her what her real name is.)
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Johnny feels attracted to Baby and desires her
After the performance at the Sheldrake Hotel, Baby changes back into her regular outfit in the backseat of Johnny’s car. As she takes off her top, Johnny steals a glance or two at her though the mirror, reflecting his desire. He seems to be attracted to her.
When she comes in front to sit next to him, there is an awkward moment of silence and possibly some sexual tension between the two.
As they reach the staff quarters, Johnny, like a perfect gentleman opens the car door for Baby and holds both her hands just before Billy comes announcing the bad news about Penny. We wonder what would have happened then if Billy had not come rushing…
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Johnny recognizes his own disappointment
In the lyrics of the song "She's Like the Wind", a mirror reflects Johnny’s disappointment with himself and society. Baby’s father has chided him and never will accept him. Also, Johnny has been asked to leave by the hotel's management.
I look in the mirror and all I seeAfter figuratively seeing himself in a mirror, Johnny feels disappointed and humiliated.
Is a young old man with only a dream
Am I just fooling myself
That she'll stop the pain
Living without her
I'd go insane
Feel her breath on my face
Her body close to me
Can't look in her eyes
She's out of my league
Just a fool to believe
I have anything she needs
She's like the wind
Is Baby just an illusion to Johnny?With a heavy heart, Johnny decides to leave Kellerman's and Baby. He tells her that "I'm out. If I leave quietly, I'll get my summer bonus."
Is Johnny inferior due to his socio-economic status?
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I hope Nirmala will continue to write essays about the movie.
Anyone can submit essays or ideas to me at MikeSylwester@gmail.com
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