“Penelope” by Mark Palansky

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Introduction

Penelope is a modern fairy-tale about a girl from a wealthy family, possessing all the necessary qualities to find her significant other. Yet, the family curse deprives the heroine of the possibility to interact with the outer world because of pig-disorder on her face. Throughout the movie, Penelope is constantly searching for her identity and reconcile with her appearance. Although she is afraid of the surrounding world, she decides to escape from her house to learn more about the real world. Her acquaintance with the outside people impresses her and opens new possibilities for self-fulfillment. The movie was released in 2006 by Summit Entertainment. The budget of the movie is $ 15.000 and it received over $ 21.000 income. In this mid-term paper, I am going to discuss the scene from the movie and explain how this scene renders gender relations.

Description of the Scene

The movie scene that has been chosen for analysis starts from minute 22 and last 5 minutes. The silence represented from the very start of the scene is replaced by dynamic music, the hero’s interest in each other enhances. The tone of music is mysterious and fascinating; it contributes to the fairy-tale genre of the movie. The setting of the scene is also interesting because both heroes are on the different sides of the mirror. The scene focuses on the first introduction of the main heroes Penelope Wilhern and Max Campion. Although Max could not see Penelope’s face, the hero is captivated by Penelope’s charm. In her turn, Penelope is interested in the new candidate because this is the first man who managed to choose her favorite book out of thousands. The scene also focuses on the first impression and tricky scenes that made both characters rethink over the sense in their lives. With regard to the description, the scene renders the first feeling of exciting of the meeting of two people who had lost sense of life and who have nothing to lose.

Analysis of the Scene

At the very beginning, Penelope is excited because she thinks her new ‘claimant’ already saw her defected nose. Max looks indifferent; he sits on the sofa and waiting for the meeting. His waiting is unexpectedly interrupted by Penelope’s voice, which intrigues him on the spot. Overwhelmed with the new acquaintance, the scene also renders the characters’ attempt to learn more about each other. Hence, Penelope wants to find out whether Max is honest with her and decides to watch how he would behave if he was ignorant of her observing him from the mirror. In his turn, Max also wants to try Penelope and steals the most expensive book from the self on purpose to return later and expose Penelope’s plan.

The first dialogue between Penelope and Max starts with the conflict of interests because both are reluctant to disclose their genuine purpose for meeting with each other. Penelope seems desperate and, therefore, she does not express her true concern with the new guest in the room. Similar to Penelope, Max’s only purpose is to receive money for gambling. Further interaction between the characters develops into a engaging conversation. Apparently, the fact that the hero could not see his encounter makes more confident and relaxed and, therefore, Max behaves as if he speaks to the girl for the last time. Penelope is also relaxed; she does not feel any embarrassment because she knows that no one see her face.

Once Max hears Penelope’s voice, the viewer can notice the obvious change in the impression on his face and, therefore, it seems that the hero wants Penelope to move the two-way mirror away. In the course of the scene, their interests collide, which provokes desire to meet once again. In the scene, it could be viewed that characters are representatives of completely different worlds – Penelope from her imaginary inner world and Max (Johnny) from the outside, real world. Therefore, the contrasts are also represented in their current positions because Penelope has everything she wants whereas Max is in constant need of money he does not have.

Discussion

I believe that the scene could serve as a classical introduction for all dramatic and romantic scenes, except for a few things. The uniqueness and genuineness of the scene lies in background information. The hero realizes that Penelope has certain defects in her appearance, but interest, as well as opportunity to earn money, overwhelms him. At the same time, Penelope, frustrated and embarrassed, starts searching for hero’s veritable purpose for visiting her. She stereotypes him, but her naïve outlook on the world allows her to believe that he is the one she has been looking for. With regard to this context, the main details of the scene become more understandable and self-explanatory.

While considering the main aspects of emotional and psychological representation, specific emphasis should be placed on the setting of the scene. The room is furnished in a conservative classic style that represents the real world. In contrast, Penelope’s room resembles an imaginary world, a fairy-tale, which denies reality and makes it impossible for Penelope to surpass the created boundary due to false assumption about her appearance. Influenced by her mother’s prejudiced attitudes about her daughter’s identity, Penelope excludes the possibility to live in a real world.

At the same time, Max, who is on the opposite side, could not imagine life without gambling. He is not concerned with his future and his only purpose is to earn more money. The reality in which he is drowned does not allow him to feel that miracle could happen in even in the outside world, which is full of hypocrisy, stereotypes, and mercenary spirit. Therefore, while considering the details of the scene, I agree with the director’s idea to put the heroes on the different sides of the mirror and highlight the evidence of their opposite outlooks on life. Such an approach also allows the readers to look beyond the heroes’ appearance and analyze their characters.

Conclusion

With regard to the scene description, the director strives to emphasize the idea that appearance are often deceptive and that the emotions, feelings, and attitudes are the only ones that matter. The stereotypes imposed on the main characters are predetermined by the prejudiced attitudes to their lives. The confrontation between reality and fiction helps the heroes realize the actual values, as well as define their future paths in life. Looking through the prism of each other’s personality, the scene demonstrates how quickly their veritable goals have come to the forth. Finally, the scene manages to render the entire sense of the movie in general because it focuses on the presence of obstacles that must be surpassed in the pursuit of happiness.

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