Escaping from the Imprisonment of Life

Paper by Margarette Toor. Viewed on DVD.

Sofia Coppola, the daughter of the famous Francis Ford Coppola, has truly lived up to her fathers name. Her direction style is completely unique, focusing on the single theme of the feeling of being imprisoned in one’s own life and searching for an escape. This reoccurring theme is evidence that Sofia Coppola is indeed an auteur. Through the analysis of her films, I have discovered that this theme is outstandingly presented in these three films: The Virgin Suicides (1999), Lost in Translation (2003), and Somewhere (2010). Coppola’s theme is relevant to the lives of many. Throughout life, almost everyone acquires this feeling of being trapped and the inability to achieve there freedom. Thus implying, the intensity incorporated within Coppola’s films and the theme that supports it.

As the daughter of the famous Francis Ford Coppola, the director of The Godfather trilogy, Sofia Coppola had a great role model to look up to. The film industry and her father’s many fans expected great things from her and she succeeded in reaching their expectations. Coppola is also not simply just a director, she is multitalented. She has been a successful screenwriter, producer, director, and actor. Coppola was first discovered for her amazing talents when she directed and wrote her film, Lost in Translation. Sofia Coppola won her first award for that film, and it was no ordinary award. She had won an Oscar for best screenplay. She also was the first woman to win the number one prize at the Venice Film Festival, the Golden Lion. Her work is truly inspirational and it is interesting to know that she is an auteur. Furthermore, in a way, she is very similar to Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick, just like Coppola, depicts a distinct theme within his films. Although, it may be a bit different from Coppola’s. Kubrick presents a reoccurring theme of violence and unexpected outcomes, while Coppola presents a reoccurring theme of feeling trapped and needing to escape. However, I noticed that a few of these films are very similar. For example, in Full Metal Jacket, Pyle feels trapped in the military environment, and he escapes by killing both himself and his commanding officer. Likewise, in The Virgin Suicides, the girls feel trapped within the walls of their own home, and to escape they decide to kill themselves. Moreover, her theme, shown in all of her films, is greatly represented. It allows the audience to see what might have inspired Coppola to present her films in such an intense manner.

Firstly, in her film The Virgin Suicides, Coppola illustrates the lives of five sisters: Lux, Mary, Cecilia, Therese, and Bonnie. The film begins with the suicidal attempt of the youngest sister, Cecilia. The doctors save Cecilia and urge the parents to allow the five sisters more freedom. Therefore, the parents decide to organize a party for their daughters. Yet, Cecilia is still troubled and succeeds in committing suicide that same day. The entire family is heartbroken and does not understand how this tragedy could have happened. Moreover, the parents continue being more open minded with their four remaining daughters. However, that all changes when Trip, Lux’s date, uses her. Trip leaves Lux, after having sexual relations with her, in the middle of their school’s football field. Lux’s parents were so terribly worried by the time she got home the next morning, that they decided to no longer let the girls step out of the house. They were no longer permitted to contact anyone residing in the outside world, and surprisingly were taken out of school. The girls were so strictly kept that they all began to crumble in the imprisonment of their own home. One day, it became too much for them and they decided they needed to break away from this suffocating life. Therefore, the four sisters committed suicide the same day in many different ways. Causing their parents to shamefully leave town. Coppola presented her characters in such a way that the audience could easily see how trapped the girls felt. I believe, when the parents locked the girls within their own home, with no social life to escape to, it pushed them over the edge. Therefore, they believed that the only way they could escape from this feeling of being trapped was for them to kill themselves.

Additionally, in Lost in Translation, Coppola illuminates two very distinct characters that are feeling trapped in the foreign country of Japan. Charlotte and Bob, two strangers, come together in a country full of people whom they do not understand. They both felt lost, until they met each other. Charlotte had been feeling neglected by her husband, while Bob had been trying to escape from his life as a celebrity. When they met, they connected right away and became even closer when Charlotte’s husband left on a business trip. They would accompany one another everywhere and formed an unforgettable bond. However, when it was time for Bob to leave, they both knew that they would be losing a part of themselves. In the end, they kiss each other good bye and then Bob walks away. In my opinion, this symbolizes their freedom being lost. For example, both characters felt trapped, but when they were together they felt as if they were free. I believe, Charlotte and Bob found their freedom in each other and when Bob leaves they begin to feel their freedom drifting away. They are one another’s escape.

Lastly, Somewhere is an illustration of the life of a famous Hollywood actor, Johnny Marco. While viewing this film, the audience can see the daily life of Johnny. Nothing ever changes, he has the same routine every day. One can see that he passes his time by watching strippers, sleeping with random women, and attending parties. However, that all changes when his daughter arrives. One can see a drastic change in his attitude when he is around her. Johnny is much more of a responsible man when he is in the presence of his daughter. Throughout the film, the audience sees the bonding between the two of them. Moreover, his view completely changes when his daughter leaves. Johnny is heartbroken and drives off to the middle of a desert. Furthermore, the film ends with Johnny walking away from the car. I believe, this represents Johnny finally coming to his senses and deciding to change his life. He feels trapped in his life because he does the exact same thing everyday. However, when his daughter leaves, a sadness overwhelms him. Therefore, when he walks away from his car in the end, it is as if he is walking away from his old life to begin a new one.

The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and Somewhere all acquire the theme that makes Sofia Coppola’s films unique. Each film presents the feeling of being trapped and searching for an escape. Yet, they all illustrate this theme in a different way. For example, in The Virgin Suicides the girls escape by killing themselves, while in Lost in Translation and Somewhere there is no violence involved. Moreover, each film presents the means of escape in a different manner. Firstly, in the film Lost in Translation, Bob and Charlotte’s escape is each other. They find their freedom within one another. Secondly, in The Virgin Suicides, the girls obtain their freedom through death. They have no other way to turn because all of their privileges are taken from them. Furthermore, in Somewhere, Johnny receives his freedom by walking away. He walks away from his old life in order to begin a new one. One can see the differences within each of these films. However, Coppola’s reoccurring theme does not change. Her message is presented clearly in each film.

Sofia Coppola’s unique talent as an auteur is outstandingly presented in all of her films. She brings an interesting twist within every one of them, in order to enhance the message she wants to share. Coppola constructed a theme that is one day experienced by everyone. She shows, that their is always an escape to the feeling of being trapped and that everyone can achieve their freedom.

Works Cited

Dancyger, Ken. The Director’s Idea: The Path to Great Directing. Oxford: Focal, 2006. Print.

Mayshark, Jesse Fox. Post-pop Cinema: The Search for Meaning in New American Film. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007. Print.

Rogers, Anna. “Sofia Coppola.” Senses of Cinema RSS. N.p., Nov. 2007. Web. 26 July 2013. .

Scott, A. O. “The Pampered Life, Viewed From the Inside.” The New York Times. N.p., 21 Dec. 2010. Web. 25 July 2013. .

“Sofia Coppola Biography.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 25 July 2013. .