I really enjoyed this film . Even without the subtitles I think I was able to get the point of the film. I was tempted to watch the film with subtitles but decided to do this post before I did. Carol was a young girl with both American and Spanish heritages. Speaking fluent Spanish certainly helped in her adjustment to Spanish life, however I could see how the American culture sometimes made it difficult for her to adjust. She appeared to be outspoken , able to talk with both adults and children and speak her mind. While her Spanish cousin meekly obeyed her mother, Carol rebelled, climbed out the window ,found her grandfather and convinced him to let her live with him after her mothers death. She wore boys clothing instead of the more feminine way of dress. She looked uncomfortable the few times she had a skirt/dress on. She was a tomboy at heart climbing trees and giving as good as she got.During her first communion she insisted on the more masculine way of dress.
After her mothers death knowing her father was fighting in a war, Carol continued to pay to get letters to her father. She didn't want to upset him with news of her mothers death, even begging her grandfather not to tell him. Her relationship with Tomachi was very sweet , he risked his life and ultimately died to help her father escape.
This was an enjoyable film, Carol's cold climate upbringing was evident she is strong willed ,able to speak her mind and unwilling to conform to societies rules just to fit in. I look forward to rewatching this with subtitles.
Lisa Gallagher
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I was able to view this film with English subtitles.
ReplyDeleteCarol was very out-spoken and grown up for a 12 year old. I feel that being an American and of a cold-climate culture she was misunderstood as maybe insubordinate. Carol had a mind and it was made up!
Carol came to America with her mother Aurora, whom was dying of cancer. However, Carol was unaware of this until she found her dead on a swing in the backyard. Carol's father was a fighter pilot in America during the Civil War. He was unable to attend Carol and her mother on their trip to Spain. Carol meets Maruja, Aurora's best friend and teacher. They seem to understand each other well. Carol has Maruja write letters to her father making him believe that Aurora is the one writing them. This shows how caring and sensitive Carol is. She does not want her father to grieve.
Carol rebelled against the clothing she was expected to wear, instead she wore boyish clothing. When she had to wear a dress, she appeared uncomfortable. She made a deal to wear a "sailor suit" for first communion, which never happened due to the sirens interruption.
Carol meets Tomiche and he becomes her first love. This was the only time I felt she was being feminine. I loved it, growing up like a tomboy myself.
In the end Tomiche sacrifices himself and dies trying to help Carol's father escape the Franco's. This was a very nobel act for a child. He did this to ensure Carol has a parent in her life, and also to prove his love for her to make her happy.
This film has made me realize how difficult and trying life has been for children. They all have grown up so fast. I think most children in America do not realize how good they have it. My kids are about to find out!
Hey Lisa
ReplyDeleteWhile reading your post I remembered one more point that I did not mentioned in my own post. Carol was very independent and strong willed person but I noticed that she had a lot of free time, meaning unsupervised from her mother or grandfather. Maybe it was a time period (when parents had their own life and weren’t paranoid about their kids every minute) or maybe her mother being ill and expecting her own death soon was not able to pay attention to Carol’s leisure adventures. Carol’s grandfather also was not accustomed to taking care of his granddaughter since she all her life lived in America; it was a big change for him also. It might have been her American upbringing that gave all the confidence and stubbornness to her personality. While watching her cousin and her mother’s relationship, we definitely see a big difference in this picture.