Keys, Film, Fathers

One of the unique things about this holiday film line up is a unique alignment of film themes/motifs in the role of keys and deceased fathers.

Two films are so different but both carry this concept.

In Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the main character, Oskar, has a key that he believes if he finds out what it opens will help connect him to a message from his father.

In Hugo, the title character, has a machine (needing a key) that he believes if he can make work (with the key) will help connect him to a message from his father.

In both cases, the young men where deeply connected to their fathers and forced to deal with sudden tragic death. Yet, I expect that the power of these themes is not the tragedy of the deaths, but instead a social trend that resonates with many. I believe there are many men (young and old) who feel as though they are missing a piece of their father.

This father disconnect could be for a variety of reasons, but I believe that at some level many people are looking for a better understanding of who their father's where/are, and more so, how that relationship fits into their life, destiny, future.