The film opens with the image of Rose Hobart sleeping alone behind white sheets. According to Freud, it is through dreaming that we discover subconscious emotions and attitudes; therefore, as the camera slowly moves forward into the room, the viewer is invited into her dream world, or subconscious mind. The setting in which she sleeps is also very comfortable, far away, relaxed, and presents an atmosphere that resembles a fantasy. Additionally, Cornell omits the dialogue, uses a blue tint for effect, and inserts a fun and explorative melody. As a result, the film immediately sets up a fantasy world focused on the female. As suspected, the images presented thereafter center around power, sexuality, and independence.
The very next image presented is a burning flame, possibly representing the main character's vitality, soul, inner torment, or sin. The flame seems to draw us further into the darkness of this woman. We witness a few images of Rose before she leans over a balcony and discovers a ball dropping into water. The incredible sexual imagery presented here is obvious. The texture of the water (as viewed through the blue tint) and the action being performed seem symbolic of female sexuality. Additionally, the concentric circles that disperse out resemble an explosion of some sort, adding on to the idea of desire.
After these introspective scenes, the scenes move outward, focusing on Rose's physical appearance. She is often seen standing alone, constantly looking at someone. As viewers, we rarely see the person she is staring at. Either the person is simply not there, or he is unattainable. Either way, it enhances the feeling that she is alone; she is watching but not being a part of something. She seems distanced. But her facial features reveal a fierce and independent quality, conniving, innocent, and at the same time unsure of herself. The emotions evoked toward her are heightened when she hides a gun in her purse, appearing sexy, dangerous, and willing to defend herself. At this point, the viewer senses a sort of anxiety or danger. It seems natural that directly after this we are finally introduced to some of the male characters and discover that she is living in a jungle.
Various other symbolic images appear before us: an erupting volcano, a person intruding in her bedroom, the solar eclipse, ect. At one point, another female enters the picture and can be seen randomly throughout. As a viewer, it is difficult to tell whether or not the other female is a threat, a companion, or perhaps another love interest?
What is interesting about the film is that the last few scenes focus on the solar eclipse and the ball dropping into the water. Nothing ever becomes of the gun, and there doesn't seem to be a resolution. The viewer is left with a feeling that Rose has not come to a conclusion, that her sexuality is still rooted deep within her unconscious. Yet she is still invariably a woman, and we are ultimately left feeling as if we have entered into her unconscious and discovered something there.
The very next image presented is a burning flame, possibly representing the main character's vitality, soul, inner torment, or sin. The flame seems to draw us further into the darkness of this woman. We witness a few images of Rose before she leans over a balcony and discovers a ball dropping into water. The incredible sexual imagery presented here is obvious. The texture of the water (as viewed through the blue tint) and the action being performed seem symbolic of female sexuality. Additionally, the concentric circles that disperse out resemble an explosion of some sort, adding on to the idea of desire.
After these introspective scenes, the scenes move outward, focusing on Rose's physical appearance. She is often seen standing alone, constantly looking at someone. As viewers, we rarely see the person she is staring at. Either the person is simply not there, or he is unattainable. Either way, it enhances the feeling that she is alone; she is watching but not being a part of something. She seems distanced. But her facial features reveal a fierce and independent quality, conniving, innocent, and at the same time unsure of herself. The emotions evoked toward her are heightened when she hides a gun in her purse, appearing sexy, dangerous, and willing to defend herself. At this point, the viewer senses a sort of anxiety or danger. It seems natural that directly after this we are finally introduced to some of the male characters and discover that she is living in a jungle.
Various other symbolic images appear before us: an erupting volcano, a person intruding in her bedroom, the solar eclipse, ect. At one point, another female enters the picture and can be seen randomly throughout. As a viewer, it is difficult to tell whether or not the other female is a threat, a companion, or perhaps another love interest?
What is interesting about the film is that the last few scenes focus on the solar eclipse and the ball dropping into the water. Nothing ever becomes of the gun, and there doesn't seem to be a resolution. The viewer is left with a feeling that Rose has not come to a conclusion, that her sexuality is still rooted deep within her unconscious. Yet she is still invariably a woman, and we are ultimately left feeling as if we have entered into her unconscious and discovered something there.
