Multiple Personalities - A Film Tutorial
May 5th 2008 18:33
Ever want to step outside yourself, into another person’s flip-flops? Ugg boots? Stilettos? Loafers with fringing? Possibly even Reebok Pumps, which I hear are making a comeback?
Maybe you do already. Maybe you’ve tripped over your own feet. Maybe you’ve stepped on everyone’s toes, or kicked them in the teeth. Maybe you’ve developed corns or contracted athlete’s foot. It seems the shoe won’t always fit, even if you fashion it yourself.
But don’t go hobbling to the cobbler! I can help you walk a winding path, weaving to while weaving fro, without once being brought to heel. Unless, of course, you’re so THiCK that nobody can save your soles.
Lesson One: Be Aware – Fight Club
Tyler Durden was everything our unnamed narrator wanted to be – and was, without even knowing it. He thought he was watching the world from behind a pane of glass, only to find out too late it was a mirror. He was seeing himself and everything was backwards.
Lesson Two: Use Costume Effectively – Mrs Doubtfire
Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work, middle-aged voice actor finds the perfect disguise in order to gain access to his children: Mrs Doubtfire, a sturdy British dame with a floral pinny and plenty of balls. He could have gone on fooling everyone closest to him – but he let his mask slip.
Lesson Three: Know When The Jig is Up – Catch Me if You Can
After posing as a French teacher, an airline pilot, an FBI agent, a lawyer and a doctor, Frank Abagnale was finally caught by the man who had pursued him for years. Acknowledging he had been beaten, Abagnale made friends with his captor, and ended up earning millions catching cons and preventing forgeries.
Lesson Four: Don’t Leave Evidence – The Talented Mr Ripley
Tom Ripley was talented alright, morphing into whomever he chose to be – but he cut it very fine, many times, by needlessly giving himself away. He didn’t dispose of the evidence, he didn’t cover his tracks, and he let himself go feral just a bit too often.
Lesson Five: Don’t Push It – The Nutty Professor
Nice guy Julius Kelp transformed himself into Buddy Love, a cool dude with attitude – too much attitude. His alter-ego becomes more and more obnoxious and egocentric until, when his true identity is finally revealed, he finds that he has risked alienating those who loved him for himself all along.
Lesson Six: Remain Sane, Avoid Evil – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Kindly Dr Jekyll loses control in his attempt to prove that good and evil co-exist. He is taken over by Mr Hyde, a monkey-like madman and murderer who destroys his life and the lives of those around him.
Lesson Seven: Have Fun – Dating the Enemy
Well, what else are you supposed to do when you find yourself in the body of a lover you are constantly at odds with? Make a bit of mischief and take advantage of all the impossible opportunities suddenly at your fingertips.
Now, what have we learned about multiple identities?
Michaelie Clark
Maybe you do already. Maybe you’ve tripped over your own feet. Maybe you’ve stepped on everyone’s toes, or kicked them in the teeth. Maybe you’ve developed corns or contracted athlete’s foot. It seems the shoe won’t always fit, even if you fashion it yourself.
But don’t go hobbling to the cobbler! I can help you walk a winding path, weaving to while weaving fro, without once being brought to heel. Unless, of course, you’re so THiCK that nobody can save your soles.
Lesson One: Be Aware – Fight Club
The first rule of multiple personalities - Image courtesy of angelfire.com
Tyler Durden was everything our unnamed narrator wanted to be – and was, without even knowing it. He thought he was watching the world from behind a pane of glass, only to find out too late it was a mirror. He was seeing himself and everything was backwards.
Lesson Two: Use Costume Effectively – Mrs Doubtfire
Don't lose your mask, or your dentures - Image courtesy of videodetective.com
Lesson Three: Know When The Jig is Up – Catch Me if You Can
No longer flying high - Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk
After posing as a French teacher, an airline pilot, an FBI agent, a lawyer and a doctor, Frank Abagnale was finally caught by the man who had pursued him for years. Acknowledging he had been beaten, Abagnale made friends with his captor, and ended up earning millions catching cons and preventing forgeries.
Lesson Four: Don’t Leave Evidence – The Talented Mr Ripley
Lunacy over logic - Image courtesy of aol.com
Tom Ripley was talented alright, morphing into whomever he chose to be – but he cut it very fine, many times, by needlessly giving himself away. He didn’t dispose of the evidence, he didn’t cover his tracks, and he let himself go feral just a bit too often.
Lesson Five: Don’t Push It – The Nutty Professor
Nutty as they come - Image courtesy of filmfreakcentral.net
Nice guy Julius Kelp transformed himself into Buddy Love, a cool dude with attitude – too much attitude. His alter-ego becomes more and more obnoxious and egocentric until, when his true identity is finally revealed, he finds that he has risked alienating those who loved him for himself all along.
Lesson Six: Remain Sane, Avoid Evil – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Evil takes over - Image courtesy of videowatchdog.com
Kindly Dr Jekyll loses control in his attempt to prove that good and evil co-exist. He is taken over by Mr Hyde, a monkey-like madman and murderer who destroys his life and the lives of those around him.
Lesson Seven: Have Fun – Dating the Enemy
Discovering my new penis - Image courtesy of iweb.cz
Well, what else are you supposed to do when you find yourself in the body of a lover you are constantly at odds with? Make a bit of mischief and take advantage of all the impossible opportunities suddenly at your fingertips.
Now, what have we learned about multiple identities?
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by Joanne Fedler
Love this post. Great stuff, Michaelie.
Jo
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
I recently watched Shattered Glass again about journalist Stephen Glass and his mostly fabricated work as a writer for The New Rupublic. It was fascinating to see the lengths he went to in trying to maintain the illusion of his work's authenticity even as his world and credibility began to crumble around him. His level of determined denial was shocking.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Haven't seen Mr Brooks, but just read about it and it does sound frightening! William Hurt would have to be perfect as the alter-ego?
Thanks for the compliment!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
The Talented Mr Ripley would be up there, along with Cold Mountain and Truly, Madly, Deeply, but I think The English Patient is my favourite Minghella film. It's sad that he passed away, especially while still in his fifties.
Shattered Glass is definitely another one for the 'Know when the jig is up' category. Persistent denial in the face of bald reality really does seem... crazy. And yet so many people do it, as a reflex.
Like Todd MeKenny last week. Caught red-handed and having a G-kip - but he'll still deny it all the way when he could probably do himself a favour by just owning up.
Thanks for stopping by, David!
Michaelie
Comment by tlcorbin
Raven
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Multiple personalities...what a subject. Well I never...
This is good advice especially Lesson Five: Don’t Push It – The Nutty Professor.
True words indeed.
Tracy
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
But moving from pumping it to pushing it - yes, I think there is a lot to be learned from The Nutty Professor!
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I’ll be watching out for these personalities...I bet there's some lurking in all sorts of places...nowhere is safe....
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Fun post Michaelie!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
How about Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy? It's not a well-liked movie, but I really enjoy the descent into creepiness...
Also, the teachers in the dance academy in Suspiria - vivid!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Well at least they aren't weilding plaster busts, or running about in top hats slaying people (we hope!).
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
A few of Jim Carrey's roles could make it. If fact, the actor himself should probably be up there!
Suspiria - great movie. What's a witch to do? Maybe they belong in the 'Don't Leave Evidence' category. Gotta be careful with your ritual killings!
Michaelie
Comment by Louie
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Ah, 'tis all in jest.
Michaelie
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i esp like "know when the jig is up" hahaha
of course "dont leave evidence" and "dont push it" are equally important pieces of advice!
this is a very clever article!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thanks a million, Morgan.
Michaelie
Comment by Anonymous
Great post young lady
Pamela
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thank you, Pamela!
Michaelie
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Loved this post. Fabulouso!
Mis
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Thanks to Morgan's Top 10 I'm reading this post.
Multiple personalities. I think of Denzel Washington in Training Day....when good cop goes bad!
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Yeah, Denzel living the double life and losing his step on that fine line of justice. I have a soft spot for old Denzel.
Thanks Mrs M, and thank you Morgan!
Michaelie