Interesting movie. I was a bit let down because the first time Jane and Caligari have a discussion that gets very philosophical, which now I'm prepared to be challenged. Unfortunately the movie takes the path of least resistence after that scene. Pity, because Jane showed that she could engage in a high caliber conversation. Despite that, I liked the movie.
I didn't understand the title of the movie. Grabbed my trusty Merriam-Webster dictionary and found this to be appropriate:
cabinet
2 a archaic: a small room providing seclusion
OK, so here is my interpretation of what happened (although it doesn't fit completely): she was raped and it was too traumatic, which is why she is in a mental institution. Notice how Caligari gets straight to the point and wants to know about her sexual encounter. Note that Jane avoids talking about it, save mentioning that it was just some guy and just some night. I'm supposed to think it was a one night stand between two people, but I think otherwise. Her chats with Paul contain the message of the movie, which is to confront your problem. That is what Paul urges her to do, confont Caligari.
I don't understand the significance of the revolving door. I want to believe it means something, but I can't figure it out. The best I could come up with is a corollary to Caligari's statement about the door. Caligari said that it doesn't accept nor does it repel. I would add that it also requires effort to pass through it. That would kind of go with the message of confronting your problems, which also requires effort as well as the will to do it. When it comes to a plain wooden door with a door knob, the only problem you'd worry about if it was locked. Otherwise, if unlocked then it is effortless to open the door and walk through. But a revolving door is different. It is a display of Newton's third law. You push and the door pushes back, so you really have to put some effort into that door to pass through. And, it is a conscience effort. It's either that or the fact that I'm just venting about the freaking revolving doors I have to use when I go to work.
Nicholas
I didn't understand the title of the movie. Grabbed my trusty Merriam-Webster dictionary and found this to be appropriate:
cabinet
2 a archaic: a small room providing seclusion
OK, so here is my interpretation of what happened (although it doesn't fit completely): she was raped and it was too traumatic, which is why she is in a mental institution. Notice how Caligari gets straight to the point and wants to know about her sexual encounter. Note that Jane avoids talking about it, save mentioning that it was just some guy and just some night. I'm supposed to think it was a one night stand between two people, but I think otherwise. Her chats with Paul contain the message of the movie, which is to confront your problem. That is what Paul urges her to do, confont Caligari.
I don't understand the significance of the revolving door. I want to believe it means something, but I can't figure it out. The best I could come up with is a corollary to Caligari's statement about the door. Caligari said that it doesn't accept nor does it repel. I would add that it also requires effort to pass through it. That would kind of go with the message of confronting your problems, which also requires effort as well as the will to do it. When it comes to a plain wooden door with a door knob, the only problem you'd worry about if it was locked. Otherwise, if unlocked then it is effortless to open the door and walk through. But a revolving door is different. It is a display of Newton's third law. You push and the door pushes back, so you really have to put some effort into that door to pass through. And, it is a conscience effort. It's either that or the fact that I'm just venting about the freaking revolving doors I have to use when I go to work.
Nicholas
