It is possible

[randomling]

that I need to buy the Tim Burton/Sondheim Sweeney Todd on DVD.


This is because I'm toying with the idea of writing an essay on how beautifully the movie illustrates various kinds of abusive family dynamics. (Also various dysfunctional romantic dynamics, in fact. Maybe these are two different essays.)

I think I want to focus on three different threads, which are:

Turpin, Johanna and child sexual abuse.

Todd, Johanna and parental violence/threats of violence.

Todd, Mrs Lovett, Toby and - I'm not even sure how to phrase this. Something about the double-edged sword of attachment and love in abusive families. (Specifically this is about the scene where Todd and Mrs Lovett hunt for Toby in the sewers, Mrs Lovett singing the mother-child love theme, Todd with his razor out.)

This is not going to be a particularly delightful essay to write but it is a thing in my brain.

Comments

[pretty_panther]

YES. That movie has such amazing dynamics in it that can really make you think. I picked it up for £3 recently so it should be super cheap to get a hold of too :D

[randomling]

Oh, that is very shiny! Also I am wondering faintly if it's on Netflix...

[pensnest]

Have you seen the original musical? The Burton movie leaves things out. In my opinion - as a long-time *adorer* of the musical - the film is somewhat lacking, but the version with Angela Lansbury as Mrs Lovett is available on DVD (Helena Bonham-Carter could not be more miscast).

I'd wish you fun with it, but I don't think that's quite what you'll be getting! However, a really good subject.