When viewing
The Creature from the Black Lagoon, I instantly thought back to
The Shape of Water (as did many others in the class did). I think that it is interesting how Guillermo del Toro was inspired by
TCFTBL to create a new film where the monster gets to have the relationship he wants with Kay. Maybe it is because I had seen
The Shape of Water before seeing this film, but I also shared a similar view... I felt badly for the fish man. Even though he killed so many characters in the film and tried to abduct the main character he seemed so confused by the humans invading his home. The scene in which the fish all rise to the surface of the lagoon after being drugged by the scientists, to me, was one of the moments I felt the most shock and discomfort when watching. One thing that I am wondering because of this is how the audiences originally reacted to this film. Did they side with the destructive scientists or the wild creature trying to protect his habitat? If they did side with the scientists, was it more because they identified with them as humans and were unable to relate to a creature of an unknown species?
Another aspect of this film that I found to be interesting was how some of Carol Clover's ideas came into play. Her idea of White Science vs Black Magic sort of held true in the film. There is definitely a lot of White Science seen throughout as the main characters are white scientists attempting to further their research and gain success. However, there is never really a point in which the Black Magic comes in. In its place, the characters of the film are forced to face the reality of the situation on their own terms. They do not have some sort of supernatural lore helping them out - they all just have to come to terms with what is happening when they themselves see the monster in the flesh. There is a sort of stress coming from the White Science characters that they must document the monster, so much so that they risk their lives to either kill him or take him with them as a specimen to be poked and prodded. Clover explains how Black Magic comes through in the end and saves the day, and that the ideals of White Science are changed in the characters' minds. In
TCFTBL, the characters never really encounter Black Magic, but their White Science is definitely not the triumphant victor in the end as they did not secure the monster and many of them died.
When viewing The Creature from the Black Lagoon, I instantly thought back to The Shape of Water (as did many others in the class did). I think that it is interesting how Guillermo del Toro was inspired by TCFTBL to create a new film where the monster gets to have the relationship he wants with Kay. Maybe it is because I had seen The Shape of Water before seeing this film, but I also shared a similar view... I felt badly for the fish man. Even though he killed so many characters in the film and tried to abduct the main character he seemed so confused by the humans invading his home. The scene in which the fish all rise to the surface of the lagoon after being drugged by the scientists, to me, was one of the moments I felt the most shock and discomfort when watching. One thing that I am wondering because of this is how the audiences originally reacted to this film. Did they side with the destructive scientists or the wild creature trying to protect his habitat? If they did side with the scientists, was it more because they identified with them as humans and were unable to relate to a creature of an unknown species?
Another aspect of this film that I found to be interesting was how some of Carol Clover's ideas came into play. Her idea of White Science vs Black Magic sort of held true in the film. There is definitely a lot of White Science seen throughout as the main characters are white scientists attempting to further their research and gain success. However, there is never really a point in which the Black Magic comes in. In its place, the characters of the film are forced to face the reality of the situation on their own terms. They do not have some sort of supernatural lore helping them out - they all just have to come to terms with what is happening when they themselves see the monster in the flesh. There is a sort of stress coming from the White Science characters that they must document the monster, so much so that they risk their lives to either kill him or take him with them as a specimen to be poked and prodded. Clover explains how Black Magic comes through in the end and saves the day, and that the ideals of White Science are changed in the characters' minds. In TCFTBL, the characters never really encounter Black Magic, but their White Science is definitely not the triumphant victor in the end as they did not secure the monster and many of them died.
I felt so much sympathy for the creature, since the motivations of White Science didn't protect his home or livelihood. Although Black Magic is presented as being a destructive force, White Science ends up being the thing that kills, since the humans could have just minded their own business or left after they realized the danger. I think they could have seen the monster was acting in self defense, like the viewer easily does.
ReplyDeleteHi Alison! My last comment disappeared, so here's a simpler version of what I typed before. I really appreciated that you identified with this monster, and am wondering what you think this subversive reading means--what does the monster represent? I also really appreciated your analysis of White Science and Black Magic. My sister who studies geology started laughing when the scientist was explaining how they analyze rock samples. I asked her if what they were saying was a real thing and she said that it is but the way they were saying it was completely ridiculous. He was mansplaining rocks to the 'uncivilized' South American character.
ReplyDelete-Caroline
I think the brilliance of Guillermo del Toro is that he recognizes how fans receive films and then builds his own films off of that interaction. I think most horror fans identify with t he monster in most films. That's why we remember Freddy and Jason's names but not the names of the protagonists of films. Of course, identification is a complicated affair as Clover and Creed allow us to see but, ultimately, the horror genre creates some of the most compelling antagonists for identification.
ReplyDelete