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IF you are the first student to post, you will:
1) Indicate ONE theme that captured your attention in "L'emigrante." (A couple of sentences mentioning the theme and why you find it interesting.)
2) Critique of the movie (a paragraph will suffice.)
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Starting with the second person to post::
1) Comment the critique of the student who posted immediately before you (a couple of sentences.)
2) Indicate a theme that captured your attention.
3) Critique of the movie (a paragraph.)
Please use the bullet format 1) 2) 3)
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One theme that stood out to me in L'emigrante is persistence. The main character is extremely persistent in following his dreams, finding his father, marrying the songstress, and making money. While struggle and perseverance are not new themes when it comes to immigrating, L'emigrante does it in a very whimsical fashion.
ReplyDeleteL'emigrante is an amusing break from the more sad, struggle laden books and films we have focused on so far. This film however, still manages to keep some real issues in the forefront, such as the black hand throwing a bomb into the Italian restaurant, and the main character having to sleep on park benches because he has no money. The anarchist who sells his teeth, while its meant for comic relief, I actually found it quite sad. Overall, I am enjoying the lighthearted point of view an immigrants struggle.
1) I agree with Kandace that the main character displayed a persistence that we have thus far found common in immigrant stories, however, this character seemed more idiotically stubborn than any others. He comes all the way to America with only the goal of finding his father. He is able to stick with his search despite many obstacles simply because he never thinks beyond his goal in the first place. He is trying to find his father, so that's what he will do, he doesn't worry about not having money or a job or a place to live.
ReplyDelete2)The depiction of the mafia-type group really caught my attention. This is the first time we have seen this stereotypical Italian-American representation in film. It was interesting how they prey on their own, though they are immigrants themselves; they take advantage of the naive and helpless immigrants around them. It really showed an attitude of every man for himself, which differed from the previous depiction which showed countrymen sticking together. This also showed up in the main character's efforts to find his father, no one would help him. One man even tries to convince him he is his father only to get anything worth getting off of him.
3) The surface of the film is a lighthearted romp showcasing slapstick and cross-dressing humor while seemingly in the background showing the struggle immigrants went through at the time. It was interesting to see that the main character, after he decides to woo the songstress, tries everything he can to make money. However, he is only able to get ahead after he joins the mafia group. The main character is so unbelievably gullible and naive it seems like only bad things will come of his joining this mafia group. So far, the movie in entertaining and is certainly showing us the immigrant struggle in a different light than anything else we have read or seen.
1) I agree with Mallory's critique. Persistence is definitely a quality that stands out for the main character. He stopped at nothing and continued on his quest to find his father even at the worst of times. I also agree with her critique about the Mafia. It is the first time we really got a chance to see it through literature/film in this class and it is important that we get a true sense of what it is really like, seeing as how many people have a very stereotypical view of the Mafia.
ReplyDelete2) Both persistence and the Mafia caught my eye but more than that, the theme of struggle stood out to me. The main character struggled in all aspects of his life; family, work, and love. He struggled with family in that the whole reason he came to America was not the typical reason for Italians to emigrate. He wasn't looking for a job, he was looking for his father. That in itself was a struggle because it was a daunting task. His father left for America a long time ago and it wasn't like he could just show up in America, find him, and live happily ever after. On this road to discovery, he had no job and no money. He struggled to get by and took any job he could get his hands on just to make a meager living. He struggles with love in that he pursues his love interest with several failed attempts. He puts himself in a very vulnerable position throughout the film but despite the negative, he overcomes it. Nothing about his new life in America was easy for him. This theme of struggle seems to be very prevalent with most Italian-American literature and films we have discussed in class. This simply goes to show that that is exactly how it was back then. Life was difficult but those who overcame the struggle made it in America.
3) I truly enjoyed this movie. It was very comical but at the same time, very real. We saw just how the Mafia operated and how they were all about loyalty and respect. Once you disrespect them, they turn on you. We also got to see the struggle that the character went through however, there was a lightness to it because of the humor. The love story was also very interesting because he stopped at nothing to make her notice him. All in all, this movie is one of my favorites because even though it showed the true hardships of Italian immigrants, it didn't have that sad feel to it. It is definitely an enjoyable film to watch.
1. I understand Celia's view's on the film, however, I believe the struggling aspects of "L'Emigrante" were a bit softer then other pieces we have studied this semester. The silent films we viewed from the early 1900's dipicted much deeper struggles and dispair. That said, certainly this film provided a comedic side to stuggling.
ReplyDelete2. I thought that a theme that captured my attention was determination. The main character had a very determined side, even when it came to his work back in Italy. He was "bull like" in his approach, and it did not seem as though he would give up easy, in any aspect.
3. My critque of this movie is positive. I found the humor refreshing, I was not personally offended as an Italian American by the refrences to the Mafia, and above all, the film held my interest, I wanted to see how this man would sort out his life. I think that his approach served as a good model for immigrants insofar as they should not delude themselves to believe that America is a land of opportunity waiting to just hand people an easy life. Anyone who choose's to venture away from their homeland should not expect things to just be handed to them. If people consider hard work and determination stuggling, they are in for a rude awaking anywhere they choose as a new home.
1. i agree as well with Brett's critique that " L'Emigrante" did explore the harsh struggles of Italians.However the movie did have a comical twist to the harsh reality they had to face. However between the books we read and other films we saw they were much more serious in showing the struggles of the immigrants.
ReplyDelete2. The main theme of the movie was determination to want to do better in life. Peppino always had the determination to want to make a better way for himself. He dressed up as a woman inorder to go to America to search for his father.He never gave up hope in the search for his father no matter if he moved up socially or economically. He was determined to find out what happend to him at any cost.He wondered the streets of New York with signs asking for his father. When he was hired by the Black Hand and recieved the news that his father was killed he still was determined to find his remains.
3. The movie has held my interest so far. However i thought that the light hearted humor of the immigrants struggles helped the audience to understand that life is never easy.i think it teaches all people not only immigrants that life will no never be easy especially when you pick up and move to unfamiliar territory.
I definitely agree with shaquana's comment. el amigrante was a really interesting movie. as it potrays the struggle of italian immigrants it also has a comic twist too. this made me laugh through almost the whole movie. i really enjoyed when peppino was so naive to the real harsh life. for example i really enjoyed when he acts like he is mr tough guy and says he knows how to use a gun but then shoot the roof off.
ReplyDelete1) I agree with the previous comments that L’Emigrante portrays the struggles of Italian immigrants through Peppino, but in a light-hearted comedic way. Despite the humor, it did show that work is required for success in a new country and nothing comes easily.
ReplyDelete2) One theme that stuck out to me was determination. He came to America to find his father without having any clue what happened to him over the years. He wandered around for days without money, food or a place to stay just to find his father. Later on when he falls in love with the songstress, she will not marry him unless he can earn a living. He fully devotes himself to the ask after she leaves, trying many ridiculous jobs until he began to work for the Black Hand.
3) L’Emigrante differed from other Italian immigrant depictions because Peppino’s motivation to come to America was not to start a better life and make money, but to find his father. While he did struggle, like many other immigrants at the time, this movie provided very pleasing comic relief. However, because of the comedy and the romantic story, I did find myself focusing mostly on the hardship as I had when reading Son of Italy and Christ in Concrete. I saw the immigrant experience in this movie in more subtle ways, like in how Americans treated Peppino. It was obvious they did not think of him as on the same level by various scenes in the movie, such as when the convertible continues to circle and yell at him in the park or when he got a job for the rich Americans to dump him into the pool.
It was interesting to see the workings of the Black Hand and how Peppino’s lifestyle changed drastically once he began working for it. I liked how L’Emigrante showed a contrast in involvement with the Black Hand. It offered him protection from poverty but put his life in danger within the Black Hand. He had to be aware of what he said and who he offended to ensure his safety.
Overall, it was an interesting movie that was also very funny and enjoyable.
1) I agree with Francesca’s comment about L’Emigrante showing the immigrant struggle that Italian-Americans faced when living in America. It has been a consistent theme in most of the literature and film we have studied that the Italian-American immigrant must face a daunting struggle for which they must persevere through, and some struggles seem more daunting than others.
ReplyDelete2) The theme that caught my attention in this movie is that of constant struggle. Consistently, in any piece of literature or film we have analyzed in this class, it seems that all Italian-American immigrants have needed to get through times of struggle that were daunting and required the most determined mind to get through. It seemed like there was a struggle involved in everything that Peppino did, consistent with the theme.
3) I enjoyed the movie very much. It was a depiction that was familiar to me as there was the theme of struggle, however, the comedy aspect of the movie made it more enjoyable and in my eyes made the depressing aspects of the Italian-American immigrants struggle bear less. I really found the Italian-American singer’s reaction to Peppino’s involvement in the mafia quite shocking. I thought that perhaps she would embrace the organization or at least be happy that Peppino was finally able to make some money and be more or less stable or even have a better sense of family, but instead she was repulsed and angry. She did not want to have anything to do with the organized crime life and was disgusted by it. I would have expected her to embrace it, embracing the fact that Peppino now had a “family” in America.
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ReplyDelete1.)I agree with Elisa in that this movie did depict struggle, as did most of the works we have read or seen about immigrants. I do not think that the struggle seemed as harsh as other literary works, such as Son of Italy. It seemed very easy for Peppino to go from job to job and try out all different jobs, such as shoemaker, paper boy, or hairstylist.
ReplyDelete2.) The theme that caught my attention was persistence. Peppino never seemed to give up; he would have done anything to get what he wanted. This was shown from the beginning of the film, when he first dressed as a woman to get on the boat to America. Later in the movie, he even managed to keep a relationship with the successful Rosita.
3.) I really enjoyed watching this movie. It seems that most of the immigrants who came to America have been through many of the same situations. Peppino was one strong character who did not allow the hardships he faced to bring him down or stop him from reaching his goal. This movie was different from the other stories we have seen or read because it showed these situations in a humorous light, but still allowed me to see the struggle and feel what it was like for the Italian immigrants in our country.
1) Elisa's comments on the struggle that is found throughout the film "L'emigrante" is a very accurate observation. The struggle is prevalent from the very beginning where Peppino has to go through hell and high water just to get ON the ship that sails to America. When he finally gets there he struggles to get a job and make a life for himself, while struggling to get the woman that he loves, and struggling to find his father.
ReplyDelete2)While i certainly agree with all of the themes my classmates found in the film, i thought that "desire and passion" were two themes that stood out to me. Peppino's passion to go to America and find his father was his driving force that changed his life forever. His passion for the woman that he loved fueled the extreme decision to join the mafia to financially provide her. I dont usually think of Italians as mild, neutral, and passive. I always imagine them to be emotional, full of fire and spirit, which were all qualities that Peppino possessed which eventually molds and shapes his destiny.
3) I thought the film was very enjoyable. It was sweet and endearing, full of funny moments, but had a strong theme and meaning behind it. It was not as serious as some of the other books we read and films we watched, but was actually my favorite among them so far.
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ReplyDelete1) I agree with Katherine's assessment of L'emigrante. The movie was another illustration of the struggles an immigrant had to face when coming to America, but with a comedic side.
ReplyDelete2) Just as my other classmates pointed out, the theme that caught my attention was determination. Peppino was so determined to find his father and you noticed that nothing would stop him. He even just dresses up as a woman so he could come to America to start a better life and search for his father.
3) As a whole, the movie was definitely entertaining. Comedy was a plenty and the storyline of the film provided much drama. When Peppino arrived in America, he was left with nothing. Through his determination and perseverance, he discovered what truly happened to his father. Peppino tried every job that was out there, from a shoe shiner, to a waiter, to a coroner, but none of them worked out. He didn't even care about making money, all he wanted was to find his father. Falling in love was just an added storyline of the film.
1)I agree with Katherine comment on L'Emigrante that it was to show how hard it was for Peppino when he was coming to America. Peppino Struggles to travel to America. Peppino dresses up as a women to be able go on the ship. then finding work was hard. the first job ended fast when a bomd came in the front door. Then he worked as a shoe shiner.in the begging of the moive peppino is struggleing just to get by. The movie show another side of an immigrant.
ReplyDelete2) the main theme of L'Emigrante was determination. Peppino wanted to find his father and see him again. then Peppino falls in love and is willing to do anything to keep the women he loves. this is why i think that he take the job with the Don. Peppino wants to keep the lifestyle that she has. then final peppino confronts his father killer which was the Don.
3) I thought the movie was quite good. the movie was funny and it show how an immigrant could end up in this type of situation. i also like that fact that Peppino never lost site on the idea of finding his father. then finding out what happen. then putting what had happen to rest by confronting the don.
1-I agree with Chris what he said the movie was funny, I also found the movie to be very enjoyable. I also like that Peppino never lost sight of the reason he came to America which was to find his father.
ReplyDelete2- A theme that captured my attention was determination. Peppino was determined to go to America. After being turned away for not serving in the army he came up with a scheme of dressing as a woman. His determination the whole time in America on his quest to find his father was very admirable because of all of the let downs he faced. Then he was determined to get the singer to be with him since he fell in love with her. She was very wealthy and he was determined to be wealthy as well so they could be together.
3- I found the movie to be very enjoyable. The movie was very funny and had very good themes. It was a very different account of Italian American immigrant than what we have read about and seen movies about. This movie was intended for entertainment, I feel more than an account of what it was like to Italians who move to America.
1-Donna makes a very good point about Peppino. All through the hardships he faced in America, he still never gave up his agenda of finding his father. We sometimes forget what truly matters when we have to face certain obstacles in life.He didn't let his love for the singer cloud his mind.
ReplyDelete2- a theme that caught my attention was how powerful the Italian mafia was portrayed. It was like everyone had to answer or ask thing of them. It showed that in order to be protected and live well in N Y C those days, it was who you knew and how well you knew them.
3- I enjoyed the movie. It was humerus as well as captivating. I thought it was true to life of an Italian immigrants journey
1. I agree what Victoria said about the portrayal of the Mafia. The mafia was a very important part of the movie.
ReplyDelete2. Although I was not able to finish the movie last class, I was surprised at how Pepinos' will to make it in Amirica clowded his judgement and he joined the mafia. I noticed that Pepino did not fit the typical Mafia profile yet he belived he had no other choice. I especially see this when he just frightened the head of the mafia but did not kill him.
3. I liked the movie in the movie. It gave us a glimpse into the life of a young Italian American Imiigrant in a humorous way. Although there was sad and dramatic parts they were not portrayed in a serious way. Overall I enjoyed watching the movie and would recomend it.
1) I agree with Merilla in that the movie "L'emigrante" was humorous and also suprised that Peppino decided to join the Mafia.
ReplyDelete2) The themes that stood out to me was determination. Peppino was determined to find his father. He cross dresses in order to be able to get on the boat to America. He even wears a sign and walks around the city in order to find his father. He has the same determination when it comes to love. He does whatever it takes in order win Rosita's heart.
3) I enjoyed the movie. I foudnd it to be humorous and it depicts the kind of struggle an Italian-American must face in order to survive, in a light-hearted fashion. This was a nice change of atmosphere to the depressing stories we have been reading.