Films role in portraying culture

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Film’s role in portraying culture

Films possess the significant role of portraying culture and reinforcing given cultures that are deemed instrumental for humanity. However, the film’s reflection of the society is the most instrumental role as it describes ordinary stories that express the beliefs, insecurities, and aspirations of ordinary individuals. Both of the films, Stagecoach and True Grit express personalities of individuals as reflective of the cultures and events of their age.

Aspects of morals emerge in the movie. Moral elements embed in the different economic choices that individuals make. To begin with, it is discernible that Doc Boone is a highly regarded individual since he is a doctor. In spite of his responsibilities, he is an alcoholic who seems to indulge more in his whiskey. Given the certainty that a medic’s work should embody, it is ironic that alcohol can accord the same accuracy that involves prescriptions and treatments. Interestingly, a trader in whisky sits closely to the doctor. These two individuals relate in a unique sense since the former fuels the alcoholism of an individual who ought to be responsible. The trader fidgets since he is aware of the moral implications of his trade. In the relation between these two individuals, it is discernible that each person conducts his duties as long as the duties grant him the necessary profits (Driscoll 78). It does not bother them whether their lifestyles and trade impacts negatively on the respective societies that they thrive in. As the bus continues moving, a banker, who has defrauded his bank of $ 50, 000, boards. It is not discernible whether the banker is escaping his guilt or running away from the police.

These elements combine to manifest an individualistic society whereby each individual makes one’s pursuits without minding respective implications. In spite of the individual pursuits, it is emergent that all the persons can afford a single destination. All the individuals coalesce within a single purpose of advancing their societies in unique ways. Within their duties, certain practices and habits are the destructive forces that diverges the society’s need for inclusiveness and beauty. For instance, the doctor carries out a noble trade but engages in alcoholism. Besides, the banker engages in a noble trade of banking but carries out a dirty habit of theft.

In the culture of heroism, it is discernible that individuals can become noble and communal in their endeavors (Nichols 48). This is a savior syndrome that appears as a savior ideal. Ringo Kid initially possesses a dream of avenging on the death of his brother and father. The interest in nuclear family, in this case, is an individualistic behavior that regards conducting murder. Ringo’s selfish character vanishes when he starts taking to Dallas. Ringo shares a determination of revenging on his brother’s and father’s death. In spite of Dallas’ persuasion, he goes against the Plummers and precariously rescues his brothers. This is a risky venture that almost sees his death and his brothers’ misery. It is discernible that the Marshall takes after Ringo because of his heroic displays. This is an element of an individualistic culture that opens up for communism at instances of heroism. All the same, this heroic display is instrumental for the society’s energy towards war and destruction of other people. In this spirit, individuals manifest the determination of defending their loved ones at all costs. It is notable that Hatfield utilizes his last bullet to rescue Mrs. Mallory.

The film, True Grit, share a similarity in the idea that John Wayne was the starring role in both of them. However, John Wayne acted in the earlier version. The greatest similarity lies in the idea that they reflected the Western life. The film manifests familial love as Mattie Ross quests for the revenge of her father’s death. She takes this responsibility into her own hands as she tracks down an old Marshall for the duty. The old Marshall, Cogburn, is a fearless old man who expresses reluctance in executing the odd business of killing murderers.

This film navigates about the concepts of individualism and communism as expressed in the personalities and activities of the characters. Mattie seems to be a selfless individual at a young age. At the age of fourteen, she had learned of her brutal father’s death. This replicates in the American teenage spirit of conducting one’s life towards fulfilling family’s aspirations. Mattie does not want to appear impotent towards murderers who had escaped the responsibility of a heinous crime. In her determination, she goes to the local sheriff who almost makes her give up at her quest. Instead, she implores and takes the option of hiring a retired sheriff. The determination does not break down when she realizes that she cannot meet the cost of hiring the retired Cogburn. The young Mattie has to trade a horse in raising the money that would contribute towards compensating Cogburn.

On the other hand, Cogburn, just as me in my younger days, professes mild interest in the affairs of Mattie. This occurs in spite of the idea that Mattie is a young girl of whom he should sympathize with. Cogburn remains adamant until he receives the amount that satisfies him to risk his life against the Pepper gang. At this time, it seems Cogburn does not perceive such a venture as a risk because he is used to guns and dealing with criminal gangs. In this sense, he demands the compensation because he just loves money. Cogburn, unlike me, does not profess a preference towards an activity that he can undertake without financial compensation (Detweiler 36).

This situation changes as the plot progresses. This is because Cogburn attains the purpose of avenging the death of loved ones. As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Cogburn views Mattie as her own daughter. Cogburn offers to suck poison out of Mattie’s hands when a rattlesnake bites her. This manifests in Cogburn’s spirit to take Mattie to the doctor in spite of the horse’s exhaustion. At this point, it is arguable that Cogburn is not just giving value to the money that Mattie offered her. Cogburn seems to be giving sense in his aged life (Broker 123).

This is a factor that reflects in my personal life as I attained the sense of purpose. In order to realize what my personality and background entails, I offered to take myself through a rigorous experience. The rigorous experience was a trip to the wild that made me realize the value of my family and the individuals around me. Cogburn is a character who seemed to have lost hope on the honesty of individuals. In this sense, he imposes a high charge on Mattie as a manifestation of his mistrust on individuals. In my personal life, there was the need of skepticism as a tool for keeping individuals off. In the end, Cogburn uncovers that individuals, such as Mattie, can be real in their endeavors towards their loved ones.

Works cited

Broker, Keith. Alternate Americas: science fiction film and American culture. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. Print.

Detweiler, Craig. Into the dark (cultural exegesis): seeing the sacred in the top films of the 21st century. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008. Print.

Driscoll, Catherine. Teen film: a critical introduction. New York, NY: Berg, 2011. Print.

Grant, Barry Keith. Film genre reader three. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2003. Print.