Finally, a warm-fuzzy film! This was easy to watch, even more without subtitles. I was very much into the film because I could focus on the scenes, plot and action instead of reading the words. You could probably fill in the dialogue for the majority of the film.
Carol and her mother Aurora were traveling to Spain to visit with Aurora's family. Carol seemed to be very mature, relating to adults better than children her own age. But she was somewhat cautious too. She would stay at a distance to observe people and situations.
Aurora's family was divided over the war. Her brother-in-law was pro-Franco, whereas her father was anti-Franco. Carol seemed to fit in with the other children in the family. Including the mute worker, helping her to learn English.
After losing her mother she became very close to her grandfather. She didn't like staying with her Aunt and eventually returned to live with her grandpa. She was not happy about having to go to Catholic church and made a deal with the priest so she could control what she wore to the first communion. I liked that she went against the rules. It showed how strong she really was.
Her relationship with Tomi was adorable and helpful to both of them. They seemed like lost souls thrown together. They were both innocent but trying to be strong. Together they were amazing. They could get things done like mailing the letter to Carol's Dad Robert. In America, all Carol had to do to send mail was put it in the mailbox. In Spain she had to pay someone to secretly take the letter. She had seen her mother do the very same thing on the night a messenge came with a letter from Robert.
I couldn't understand why Carol dressed like a boy. Her mother definitely dressed feminine. I would guess it was because she idolized her father so much.
There were times I wish I knew what they were saying, like when Carol and Aurora were eating together and Carol left the table. Also when Carol and Tomi were in the bell tower talking about Carol's father and sharing her scrapbook.
I am hoping in the end, Carol and her grandpa are heading to America to live with her father Robert.
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What a great blog, you got the film very well without subtitles. To fill you in, when Carol and her mother were at the table, Aurora told Carol that she has never lied to her about anything and if there was anything to own up to she would. I still don't understand that. As for the bell tower, Carol just told Tomi that her father flew planes for a commerical airline and now he is in the war, and told him about her diary, he asked her if she wrote about him, and she said yes. She let Tomi look at her diary but he couldn't read it because it was in English, so she read to him something that said she liked Tomi and didn't understand why he didn't have the nerve to *kiss* her! Unfortunately in the end, Carol goes back to the US with her father's parents, her grandfather only takes her to the airport, he stays in Spain :(
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on your blog. I agree that watching the film without sub-titles made you pay more attention to the film and the actions of all the characters. There were a few times that I would have liked to know exactly what they were saying but for the most part it was pretty easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteI love the relationship that developed between Tomi and Carol,your first love is always special and I think this one will truely never be forgotten since Tomi lost his life trying to help her dad.
I also do not understand why such a beautiful young girl dressed like a tomboy.The only thing I can think of is that she was a daddy's girl and they did everything together back home in the United States. The birthday gift of the plane is why I came to this conclusion.
Again great blog!
Heather,
ReplyDeleteThanks for filling in some of the gaps. I was not sure since I did not view the film prior to class. I couldn't figure out why Carols father would take the chance and fly in hostile air space to leave a present. I just found that to be outrageous. There were so many conversations that went on that I didn't understand that make me want to see it again. I don't know if Carol's mother just died or what was happening. Carol did not cry she just clung to her grandfather as he was the ONE person that she had been introduced to that made her feel special. And Carol knew that her grandfather felt the same loss that she did. It was very cute to see the young budding love, or first love between Carol and Tomi. I didn't even know his name.... I missed a lot and like I said I must see it again.
Thanks for enlightening some of us to a few of the details. I think I will enjoy it more when I can get into the story more.
Mary Cremer