Word: problems
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Dates: during 1980-1980
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...that set off in different directions, occasionally cross at unexpected moments, but never all converge at a final point. While a trip through such a forest might be a diverting way to spend a few hours, it is annoying to find that none of the trails leads anywhere. The problem with The Great Santini is that no single theme is sufficiently developed to stand alone as the idea behind the film...
...problems with this subplot transcend technical incompetency, however: the treatment of the race problem is offensive. The Blacks in the film are ridiculously stereotyped; Toomer, known as a "boy," even to young Meechum, who is portrayed as one of Toomer's closest friends; Toomer's mother, an enormous Black woman who loves her job as a maid, and is obsequious in her gratitude toward Mee chum for going out late one night to help Toomer defend himself against some local budding Klansmen. Carlino destroys the impact of the protest against the treatment of Blacks by portraying the grateful nigger, grateful...
Meechum may die, but the problem of the "can-do" war mentality is not resolved. The Great Santini portrays death as the outcome of Bull Meechum's arrogant, overconfident life. But it is an accidental death, and no one is transformed as a result. The final shot in the film is the same as the beginning: the family, minus Dad, travelling to a new home in a different city. Carlino examines Meechum's mentality, then throws up his hands and says, "So what...
...remains admirably independent throughout her crisis. Near the end, she concludes: "Men and women can nev er be close. They can hardly speak to one another in the same language. But are compelled, forever, to try, and therefore even in defeat there is no peace." Kate's problem transcends sex: "What on earth should one do next?" To her credit, Kate finds no single slogan or ideology a sufficient guide through that complex maze...
...that is their supposed salvation. The Polish workers have given the Communist Manifesto's "Workers of the world, unite!" a dimension of irony that the Politburo over in Moscow is incapable of savoring. Communism is supposed to be the solution; the Poles say it is part of the problem...