Honestly, what's with the mirror
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Dolores Claiborne
Motorskallen — 14 years ago(April 27, 2011 09:53 AM)
Towards the end of the film, when Selena wash her face in the bathroom sink, she looks in the mirror and sees the back of her own head instead of the reflection of her face. What's up with that?
Dream big. Live the life. -
bosnian_flatdog — 14 years ago(April 28, 2011 09:37 AM)
It's called filmmaking. Seriousely, you have to ask that? Obviusely it's a refletion of her disoriented state-of-mind. Check out painter Ren Magritte, he has a similiar paintingnot that it explains anything but still.
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Motorskallen — 14 years ago(April 30, 2011 02:33 AM)
So that's what it is? Filmaking, why didn't I thought of that? I thought it was because it's a movie based on a Stephen King-book, so they just had to squese in a scene that is a bit "shocking", "disturbing" or "supernatural".
Dream big. Live the life. -
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Motorskallen — 14 years ago(June 03, 2011 09:11 AM)
No, as a matter of fact, it's not in the book. In the book, Selena has got a brother and a sister, but she do not in the movie. It's one thing to leave unnecessary things out to keep things more simple, and to keep the story going. But to suddenly squeze in something like this, without any reason what so ever I mean, it doesn't even contribute to the movie, does it?
Dream big. Live the life. -
simest — 14 years ago(July 23, 2011 04:56 PM)
"It's one thing to leave unnecessary things out to keep things more simple, and to keep the story going. But to suddenly squeze in something like this, without any reason what so ever I mean, it doesn't even contribute to the movie, does it?"
I think it does contribute something to the film.
The moment in question occurs straight after Selena's sudden recall of the horrible truth about her Father and his abuse of her. For me (as a previous poster has said), the reflection is symbolic. Selena is suddenly engulfed in shame, guilt, self-loathing and feels dirty and tarnished. That is why she rushes to the restroom to cleanse herself. She is soiled. So much so, that even her reflection has effectively,
turned it's back
on her, abandoned her..or rejected her. She is simply unable to face herself with her mind's eye.
I find it an extraordinary scene, both unexpected and unnerving. Even terrifying. Certainly I'd say, the most powerful moment in the film and a striking visual representation of a character at that moment torn apart. For me, the scene speaks volumes.
I urge those who don't get it, to watch the scene again with these notions in mind.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -
Motorskallen — 13 years ago(August 27, 2012 02:55 PM)
That's the best answer so far
Thank you.
And beep instead of come with bitchy remarks and refer to paintings that has nothing to do with this film whatsoever, please come with some serious comments instead. It makes it easier for me to take you serious.
Dream big. Live the life. -
saltnurwound — 13 years ago(November 25, 2012 06:46 PM)
Simest, that was deep. I came here looking because i was as dumfounded as anyone when it led nowhere. I thought it was just a scene thrown in to spook us(viewers), but it was so out of context with the rest of the movie.
I think you're absolutely correct in your interpretation. Great question by the OP too. As for poster #2, you should read more than type. You seem to think you're on some higher mental plane than others, which was quickly dispatched here. Good movie. This TV guide channel is having some marathon tonight, and "Misery" is up next. That dirty birdy!! -
cpoet — 12 years ago(March 21, 2014 08:31 PM)
I just posted elsewhere that I interpreted the mirror scene as a metaphor for Selena discovering that everything she thought she knew about her life was backward. Daddy dearest was a monster and she owes her mother, whom she's loathed/blamed/ignored, everything.
But I think I might now subscribe to your "can't face herself" theory. Either way, it's a terribly powerful scene. -
ToastedCheese — 3 years ago(May 29, 2022 11:14 PM)
It was explained in the dvd commentary. Hackford explains it was based on some painting. It was an insider reference, but it was alluding to being faceless and this is how Selena felt. I got this metaphor without knowing what the film-makers intention was when I first saw the film.
Norman! What did you put in my tea? -