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Film and Culture

Films share the vital role of portraying the culture and reinforcing given cultures that are deemed crucial for our life. 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 the personalities of individuals as reflecting certain events that are evident in my life. These films had stories that reflect upon my personal life as an individual who spent a lot of years in realizing the self.

Aspects of morals emerge in the movie. Moral elements are evident in the different career choices that individuals make. To begin with, it is notable that Doc Boone is a highly respected individual since he is a doctor. In spite of his responsibilities, he is an alcoholic who seems to only love his whiskey. Given the work that a medic’s duty should involve, it is ironic that alcohol gives the accuracy that involves treatments. Besides, a trader in whisky sits close to the doctor. These two individuals relate in a unique sense since the trader fuels the alcoholism nature of the doctor. The trader fidgets since he is aware of the implications of his trade. From the relation between these two individuals, it is notable that each person conducts his duties as long as the work gives him the necessary profits (Driscoll 78). It does not bother them whether their lifestyles and trade affect others negatively. While the bus moves, a banker, who has defrauded his bank, of 50, 000 dollars, boards it. The bank, just as me, seems to be escaping from the guilt of theft.

These elements combine to portray an individualistic society whereby each individual makes one’s pursuits without minding relative implications. In spite of the individual pursuits, it is notable that all the persons can afford a single vision. 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 an ideal behavior. Ringo Kid initially possesses a dream of avenging on the death of his brother and father. The interest in nuclear families, in this case, is an individualistic behavior that regards conducting murder. Ringo’s selfish character vanishes when he starts talking 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 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 a 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 the value of the money that Mattie offered her. Cogburn seems to be giving a 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 in the honesty of individuals. In this sense, he imposes a higher 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.