Pan's Labyrinth

What a unique film. Guillermo Del Toro has a vivid imagination, to say the least. Written and Directed by Del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth has been a critical darling this year, including being the frontrunner for the Best Foreign Language Oscar (it's in Spanish).

The film tells two parallel stories, one based in reality and one in fantasy (or not, it all depends on interpretation). A twelve year old girl is the step-daughter of a brutal Fascist captain. Her mother is pregnant with the colonel's baby, and all the while the rebels are encroaching upon the Fascist regime. Ofelia, the girl, needs an escape from this hellish world. Thus, she creates a fantasy world to give herself some purpose and control. She feels helpless in this world, but in her make-believe world she can do something, she can make a difference. The creatures in this world are frightening and astounding, especially Mr. Eyeballs in the Hands Guy (You'd have to see him). Can she escape the brutal reality she lives with every day? How does a twelve year old girl deal with such deep-seeded pain, fear, and hatred? The psychological investigation is intriguing to say the least.

Ofelia's search for purpose, for a role to play, reflects our desire to be a part of a story. Meta-narrative is a word I like. There is a larger story, the story of God and humanity, that is always going on. We have our smaller stories, and they all fit together, are a part of, and influence the meta-narrative. We want to play a role in the bigger story. We don't want our existence to be merely our own. We want to play a part, we want to be able to "do something." As it is with all of us, so it is with Ofelia.

Ofelia tells a story to her as yet unborn brother about a flower. This flower holds the secret to eternal life. But the flower is at the top of a thorny mountain. No one was willing to climb the mountain, fearing suffering at the hand of the thorns. No one wants to suffer. I am teaching Crime and Punishment in Literature, and the theme of redemption through suffering comes up over and over. Suffering is good, as one character tells the murderer, Rodya. Romans tells us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character strength. Do we not want these things? We as humanity are very busy reducing our suffering and pain. I believe this is causing all kinds of problems. We are weak, and not willing to sacrifice for others (not all people, but many). This story of the rose is central to the film. Is Ofelia willing to climb through the thorns to achieve eternal life? Are we? Will she suffer for others? Will anyone else suffer for others? Will anyone stand up to the evil dictator, Hitler, I mean Captain Vidal?

Pan's Labyrinth, in my opinion, has been overhyped. It is fascinating, with amazing psychological depth. But to be honest I was expecting something more, but I'm not sure what. Guillermo Del Toro has an amazing imagination, to say the least. Yet, it's not quite a top tier movie this year. This year the "three amigos" have done fantastic work though. Three Mexican directors (Del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron, and Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu) have been friends for a long time and their films this year (Pan's, Children of Men, and Babel) have done very well critically. It is great to see non-Americans breathe life back into filmmaking when we start turning out crap.