I found it ironic in the movie "Girl Interrupted" that Lisa and Susanna both seemed to portray one type of character while, in actuality, they were just the opposite of what they first seemed to be. Lisa was a fighter at first glance. She broke out of the mental hospital on many occasions, and she had dreams of moving to Florida to work at Disney World. This image of a fighter was juxtaposed with Susanna's quiet acquiescence to life in the mental hospital. She only briefly fought the institution before she began going about her normal life there.
Lisa was the fighter. Susanna was the compliant, quiet inmate.
But not for long...
Lisa proclaimed herself as the "lifer" at one point, and it was obvious that she actually believed she would never be released, so why not have some fun until she destroyed herself? Susanna made a mental shift to get better and actually benefit from the program, and she did.
Susanna was the fighter. Lisa was the compliant, not-so-quiet inmate.
This sharp contrast in views on fighting the institution shows that the screenwriter and director of the movie wanted to prove that appearances can change, and that first impressions are rarely true. The movie proves that the meek underdog can end up being the one who breaks free. Slow and steady wins the race, you know.
This was really cool because I hadn't noticed this detail until reading this blog. It is very true however that first impressions are rarely accurate. Applying to my own life I've found that normally the people I am intimidated by or think to be rude are first end up being my closest friends and vice versa. Thanks for the thought.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know exactly what you mean! My best friend from high school always jokes that the first time she saw me, she thought I was going to be a really stereotypical popular, blonde, mean girl. Thank God she was wrong!
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