I’m going to focus on a small section of the opening scene of Roberto Rossellini’s 1954 film, Viaggio in Italia (Journey to Italy). In the scene, Katherine and Alex Joyce, a newly married couple, are driving to Naples, Italy to work on selling a recently inherited piece of property.
Denotation:
Alex and Katherine are bickering about the choice to drive to Naples instead of fly. Alex wanted to fly there because of how much time they would have saved, yet, Katherine chose to drive because she wanted him to have a rest. She then proceeds to say she didn’t know he would be so bored when spending time with her alone. We then learn that this is one of the first times since being married that they were alone together.
Connotation:
This introduces the audience to the marriage troubles that will plague the Joyces throughout the film and will lead to their eventual divorce. When a couple is already arguing right after being married, culturally, we know that this is a bad sign. Yet, we also can infer that they love each other at the core because, Katherine wanted to drive so Alex could get a break from his home life, and Alex didn’t impose his will to force them to fly even though he wanted to.
Myth Producing:
-Men are controlled by women. (The fact that they are driving to Naples which Katherine wanted and Alex didn’t)
-Your true relationship is revealed once away from other people. (Arguing during their first true time alone after marriage)
No comments:
Post a Comment