Social Criticism In A Major Motion Picture?
By: Kurt von Behrmann
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| The Purge: Anarchy |
If “Dawn of the Battle of Planet of
the Apes” was a thinly veiled commentary on contemporary wars, “The Purge:
Anarchy” is one on class conflict.
Carefully crafted between the carnage are acidic criticisms of the blatant
hypocrisy of a society that openly extols the virtues of Christianity and democratic
government while simultaneously engaging in barbarism. The dichotomy between the “haves” and
the “barely have anythings” is at the core of the movie and serves as a
leitmotif that underscores the real rationale for “the purge.”
The
premise here is that for one day out of the year from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM all
crime is legal. Murder, rape and theft
are all permitted. All public services
are suspended until the “purge” ends. This includes hospital services. The concept behind all of this “anything goes”
violence is that it offers an outlet for frustrations that have been building
up during the year. Since its implementation
this annual event has resulted in reduced crime rates, lower unemployment and
an overall more stable society. That is
the official reason. The reality is more
sinister.
A yearly
cathartic for everyone as a guaranteed right as a U.S. citizen, one does have
the option to participate or not. Accepted
as an inevitable stabilizer of society and a tool to eliminate undesirable actions,
the purge is open to all, but not necessarily of equal benefit. Proclaimed as an event that has positive
results for all, it is an equalizer that places everyone on a level playing
field. Here is where rhetoric parts
company with reality.
The
real purpose of the purge is to eliminate the poor. It is nothing short of open class
warfare. Marketing this mass scale chaos
to those with the most to lose, the government in this dystopia have succeeded
in convincing the general public that this is not only for its own good, but a
God given right.
Those
able to afford it barricade themselves behind protective alarms systems. The “uber” affluent live far enough away from
the danger zone that they remain safe.
Those living at the poverty level in the inner city receive the brunt of
the violence. Their protection amounts
to little more than locked doors and boarded up windows. Downtown has become a battle ground.
Not
everyone is accepting the purge. A group
of dissenters realize what the actual objectives of it is, and they are willing
to do something about it. They are ready
to fight back.
For
those who benefit the most out of a nation where violence eliminates the poor
and devastates the middle class, the super wealthy enjoy the security and
rewards that their status gives freely.
They have so much that they transform purge night into a perverse form
of entertainment.
In what can only be described as viciously
sadistic, the patrician class pays for victims to be brought to their mansions
and murdered in the most violent manner possible. Beneath the veneer of civilization and opulence
resides a disturbed world where the weak are decimated and the very rich
amused.
The contrast between posh environments
and unrestrained violence creates a disturbing tension. As the economically advantaged luxuriate in the
comforts affluence confers and all of its shameless sense of superiority and
entitlement, the very things that create humanity in its highest form have been
trashed in order to satisfy some very ugly frightening yearnings. Nothing feeds an out of control ego as well as
debasing those perceived as inferior.
Money is at the core of everything,
along with power. In this new America
that “The Purge: Anarchy” has created, the ultra-affluent have turned the poor
into procurers of the poor that are willing to sell out their own class for
money. In one scene we see our
protagonists captured and thrown into a van thinking that their lives are going
to end then and there. We discover
quickly that the down and out have been paid to find anyone on the streets and serve
them up as entertainment for a crowd of the privileged. In a “Hunger Games”
like game, the unarmed helpless are prey for armed opponents.
The interesting connections that
this film makes is that both the middle class and the disadvantage share more
common ground than is often considered in the public arena. A white police sergeant, an African-American
waitress struggling to make ends meet, her daughter and a young middle class white
couple are all of equal in value in this world.
None of them have any extra advantages.
What they in fact share is that they are little more than pawns to be
played with and little more. Their lives mean nothing. What this film makes
clear is that race is not so much of a divider as is class. It is an idea not often explored in films,
particularly in Hollywood where big spectacles are the rule. To see it presented in a mainstream film is
very edgy.
Another element that this film
handles rather well, and with chilling effect, is the love of not only
violence, but of guns. The imagery here
is disturbing. In one scene we see a
woman wielding a very large gun on the edge of a building shooting anyone and
everything below. As she delights in her
actions, she mentions how this is God’s will.
The connection between religious beliefs being closely connected to
uncontrolled pointless violence is an alarming irony that makes a huge
statement. The criticism of a society
that places such value on arms is on display.
It is not a pretty scene.
A particularly disturbing scene
involves a society matron introducing freshly acquired victims to be killed for
sport. As she accepts bids to see who
has the honor of gunning down the helpless, she described a particular
weapon. In detail she rhapsodies the
virtues of a specific gun. The
disturbing image of a mature woman dressed well talking about guns with such
warmth is an congruency that underscores the ridiculous nature of gun
worship.
Summer blockbusters are primarily
entertainment. Frequently, all too
frequently, they are little more than insubstantial entertainment. At their best they are harmless diversions. When they hit rock bottom, as many do, you
are subjected to lowest common denominator dripping in dreck nonsense that robs
you of money and time.
“The Purge: Anarchy” provides,
thrills, drama and some engaging performances.
There are no weak links. The big
surprise here is that something is being said between the lines, and it is
reflective of where we are as a nation politically and socially. The issues that our society confronts are not
given a space in the mainstream media.
Pop, fluff and not so subtle propaganda are have totally replaced
serious discussions. This is just what
makes it so intriguing that a big spectacle film has more to say about
inequity, class distinctions and open hypocrisy than what no passes for news.
An ominous line comes up when a
character asks the question of when this will all end. The answer is ominous and somewhat
prophetic. “This will end when it is
their blood.” I may not have the line
totally accurate, but it does paint a picture of the future that is
disturbingly accurate regarding what has historically been, and what
potentially could be.
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