The value significance presented by "The Last Flower"
The Last Flower is a 1991 American crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Gina Davis and Susan Sarandon. The film centers on the female protagonist and tells the story of two women trapped under social oppression who gradually turn into perpetrators on a road trip.
The plot of the movie takes place in Arkansas, USA. Silma (Gina Davis) is a housewife bound by her husband and society, and Louise (Susan Sarandon) is a professional woman and the two are friends. During a weekend trip, Silma was raped by a man. Louise immediately took action to protect Silma and killed the rapist when things spiraled out of control.
Due to past experience and doubts about justice, Louise decides to evade justice, while Silma decides to join Louise in evading the police. The two embark on an adventure along the way with multiple crimes, including robbery, car theft and murder. They clashed with a policeman--pursuer and had a series of exchanges with others.
It explores the oppression and bondage of women in a male-dominated society, and the two heroines' resistance to it. Along the way, Silma and Louise become stronger, more confident and liberated, while also revealing their deepest impulses and anger. In the end, they chose a path from which there is no turning back, deciding that they would rather die than bow to society.
"The Last Flower" caused widespread discussion and controversy at the time and was considered a powerful feminist film. It breaks through traditional cinematic expressions, places female protagonists in non-traditional roles, and explores the various issues and challenges women face in the real world. The film is known for its strong acting, tight plot, and in-depth themes, and is widely regarded as the most important of the 90s of the 20th century
The ending of the film is impressive, when Silma and Louise, when they are hunted to a desperate situation, decide not to bow to the shackles of society, and choose the fate of resolutely driving towards the cliff. This ending symbolizes the choice of the two heroines to reject oppression and sacrifice their dignity, preferring to choose death rather than accept the fate of defeat and arrest. The decision has sparked widespread discussion and interpretation, with some seeing it as a protest against oppression and unjust social systems, but also representing a commitment to freedom and dignity.
The influence of "The Last Flower" is not only in its strong female theme, but also in its excellent performance and filmmaking. Gina Davis and Susan Sarandon bring the characters to life, and the tight plot and carefully constructed scenes directed by Ridley Scott enhance the film's tension and impact.
In addition to exploring the theme of women and freedom, the film "The Last Flower" also provokes thinking and discussion about morality, justice, and social institutions. Silma and Louise's actions can be seen as a form of defiance and protest, and in their pursuit of freedom and justice, they violated the law and social morality. This prompts viewers to think about moral boundaries and justice: Do they have the right to take their own actions in pursuit of justice, even if it means violating the law and morality?
The male characters in the film also play an important role in promoting and reflecting. As officers hunt down Silma and Louise, they come to understand their situation and the reasons behind their actions. This role reflects the disregard or ignorance of women's oppression and restriction in society, while also revealing gender differences and power relations between men and women.
The influence of "The Last Flower" also lies in its challenge to the aesthetic and narrative traditions of American cinema. The film adopts a non-linear narrative structure and dynamic photographic style, as well as strong visual symbols and symbolism, which makes the audience more deeply engaged in the story. This novel narrative injected vitality and uniqueness into the film, making it stand out in the film industry of the time.
While " The Last Flower " has been widely praised and discussed, there are some critical points that touch on certain aspects of the film. Some believe that the film presents an extreme solution, which is to choose suicide to escape the bondage and injustice of society. This extreme behavior can be controversial because it sends a message of confrontation and despair without giving a more positive and viable solution.
However, these criticisms cannot deny the breakthrough and impact of "The Last Flower" as an important film work, which set off a discussion of women's rights and freedoms at the time, and inspired the audience to reflect on gender equality and social oppression. At the same time, the film's wonderful performance, tight plot and fascinating story still make it a classic and continue to influence subsequent filmmaking and social concepts.
