Experience_of_Language_-_Cinderella_Man_vs_John_Q

Ron Howard directs this film based on a true character that lives his life during the great depression. ‘Black Tuesday’ was the day that marked the beginning of new lives especially for James (also referred to as Jim) and his family. Ron Howard explores the notion of struggle, sacrifice and survival throughout this film as Jim and his family experience hardship. In addition to this, Nick Cassavetes directs a film called John Q that follow similar concepts which is based on a character likewise experiences hardship as he finds that he has a dying son caused by a failing heart. Unable to cover up the payments, he takes the situation into his own hands for the survival of his son mike. Although, the situation that these two characters were placed in never made them give up as they both feel the emotion of resilience. Using the power of language, these composers are able to present these components in great depth. Through their messages, it allows for reflection and acknowledgment for others in diverse situations. The great depression is of struggle and Scene 2 of Cinderella Man shows the epitome of struggle shown by the family of Jim. “4 years into the great depression”, Jim made a turning point from the high life of his career to the low life which is shown by the panning of the camera rotating around a beautiful, brightly lit, decorated room along with jewels, money and glass artefacts on the table. The camera then makes a transition into a darkly lit, sloppy looking room with a medium shot of a table with nothing but just an old wedding photo of Jim and Mae which symbolises their poor financial status and also the love for one another. The close up shot of the bills piling on the table emphasize how heavy in debt they are which also stands for their struggle of low income and of life. Mae adds water to the left over milk by reason of no milk being delivered due to the overdue payment of bills. This presents an image of struggle and how Mae has to improvise to do what she can to provide for her kids. Ron Howard presents this scene to establish to the audience of what life had been like for the people during the Great Depression. In the same way, in scene 2 of the film ‘John Q’ the bank takes away John’s wife’s car as small payment to his debts. The oblique angle as we see him watch the car being towed away visualises his point of view. This symbolises his struggle of payments of bills and also of life. “I’m trying to find a second job”, this shows the hardship of john as he is doing what he can to pay off the debts. The soft tone of music playing adds a sad tone to this scene as the camera has a close up shot of John and Denise (wife) hugging as they comfort each other during this rough time. Nick Cassavetes displays this scene to point out the struggle of what poor families face in life and also the importance of family and how family should always stick together which is shown by John, Denise and Mike playing and singing in the car as the camera captures medium shots of them smiling and laughing. Lives were based around sacrificing for the survival of their families. The scene of Jim working in the docks with a broken hand in ‘Cinderella Man’ is a great representation of sacrifice and survival. Jim groans to his pain as the camera captures a close up shot showing the audience the bad condition of his hand. “You can’t slow me down I need this job” is a quote by Mike (Jims friend) which indicates the poor wealth and desperation of others in society during this harsh time. “I need this job too” is Jim’s reply which symbolises what he is fighting for and sacrificing his health to provide for the survival of his children. Jim’s bruised up face and poor posture reflects the hardship and sacrifice he is going through to provide a better life for his family. In the end, he is able to show resilience as he claims the world title in the last scene. Ron Howard presents this scene with such adversity to show how people worked so hard to survive in this hard time. The audience takes in self recognition and how fortunate to live now in a society where everyone can be supported. Correspondingly, the scene of ‘John Q’ where John is holding up the emergency ward as hostage is a perfect example of sacrifice and survival. The lighting inside the emergency ward is very low key which suggests the seriousness and the tension as the camera has a close up shot of john’s face to the phone to emphasize his anger and demands to the police to place his son’s name first in the donors list. ‘Are you sure you want to go through this'’ is a quote from the negotiator which resembles a second chance towards his actions. ‘Yeah I’m sure’, is john’s reply which reinforces that he is sacrificing and fighting for the life of his son. The metaphoric shadows covering half the face of John accentuates the darkness and disturbed feeling he is building up as his son’s heart could fail anytime soon. John offers to kill himself and give his heart to his son which is the biggest sacrifice anyone could make. However, through his willingness of fighting and desperation, the doctors were able to find a heart just before he pulled the trigger to his head. Nick Casavettes displays this scene to portray the desperation and the sacrifice of what people would go through to provide a living for the family. The audience absorbs a sad emotion to this scene although it gives people a chance to be thankful and to not take things for granted. It is evident to say that both characters were able to show resilience as they both achieved what they were fighting for. Jim wins the world title through his vigorous stages of fighting physically and mentally in ‘Cinderella Man’, and John is able to give a heart to his son in ‘John Q’. Both directors were able to convey the notion of struggle, sacrifice and survival before reaching the stage of success through the use of language. The use of camera techniques, lighting, music, imagery, aural, and character movement, were all factors that contributed to give a very effective display of the components. In each case, it is impressed that through their messages it allows reflections upon others trying to overcome these situations.