I had rented three oldies that I have not had a chance to view yet. This one was taken out to offset the horrors of The Killing Fields but I decided that I wanted a good laugh first and left the more serious film on the table.
This is one of the most disturbing films I have ever watched. Here is an emotionally abused and emotionally disturbed young woman who lies, steals, and trips her way through life. She grows up in a family where the father is loud, obnoxious, and selfishly arrogant. His children cower in shame whenever he calls them layabouts. No wonder Muriel embraces ABBA as her fantasy family. Just when I think that this is it, the audience finds out that Muriel thinks that getting married will make her a somebody and free her from the prison of Porpoise Pit. She creates an imaginary fiancee and then travels from bridal boutique to bridal boutique, getting herself photographed in big poufy wedding gowns.
[WARNING: SPOILERS]--she eventually marries a hunky South African swimmer who needs her to stay in the country. Muriel gets so involved with the ceremony and the pageantry of her special day that she neglects the more important points of life--being an individual. It's her awakening that is the most interesting point of the film. She finally becomes empowered by this realization that the trappings of marriage won't save her--after all, her own parents have split up and that doesn't provide any more happiness than togetherness.
There are a lot of mixed messages in this film. I rented this one because it is a favourite of a close friend. But after viewing this film, I really think that I need to be a better friend and get this girl some professional help.
This is one of the most disturbing films I have ever watched. Here is an emotionally abused and emotionally disturbed young woman who lies, steals, and trips her way through life. She grows up in a family where the father is loud, obnoxious, and selfishly arrogant. His children cower in shame whenever he calls them layabouts. No wonder Muriel embraces ABBA as her fantasy family. Just when I think that this is it, the audience finds out that Muriel thinks that getting married will make her a somebody and free her from the prison of Porpoise Pit. She creates an imaginary fiancee and then travels from bridal boutique to bridal boutique, getting herself photographed in big poufy wedding gowns.
[WARNING: SPOILERS]--she eventually marries a hunky South African swimmer who needs her to stay in the country. Muriel gets so involved with the ceremony and the pageantry of her special day that she neglects the more important points of life--being an individual. It's her awakening that is the most interesting point of the film. She finally becomes empowered by this realization that the trappings of marriage won't save her--after all, her own parents have split up and that doesn't provide any more happiness than togetherness.
There are a lot of mixed messages in this film. I rented this one because it is a favourite of a close friend. But after viewing this film, I really think that I need to be a better friend and get this girl some professional help.