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... Maddahi
May 1st, 2003
CTCS 192
University of Southern California
TA: Holly Myers
Examination of Class in Bottlerocket
Bottlerocket (1996) is a film that examines class differences from a unique perspective. ... The film examines class from many perspectives. Class differences are apparent with the juxtaposition of 3 suburban “whiteboys” in a rural motel, while later on in the film the real criminals are having lunch with the suburbanites in a country club. The film also depicts working-class characters as submissive, obedient, uniform-wearing Latinos and Blacks who must give the utmost respect to those whom they work for. There are several scenes where race and class overlap to develop more complex characters and settings, such as in the bar scene. The film eventually, however, attempts to blur the class barriers by the innocent and child-like love story between Anthony and Inez. ...
There are very clear representations of class differences in Bottlerocket. ... Also, Bob is dressed in a suit and dress shirt in every scene, thereby differentiating him not only from the working-class characters in the film, but also distinguishing him as the wealthiest of the three comrades. In Bob’s case, the class distinction is very apparent. ... I do not know any working-class person who has ever even heard of such a disorder. ... Henry is a character who comes from the underworld with class. He is a backstabbing heist professional whose cultural capital earns him a rank in the high-class society. ... Dignan’s (Owen Wilson) suit in this scene is particularly reminiscent of high-class Southern style. ... The expensive food, fancy furniture, and designer clothes are all distinctions of high-class Southern culture.
The working-class characters in this film have a distinct submissive characteristics built in to each one of their roles. In almost all the scenes, the working-class characters are all wearing white uniforms. ... Perhaps the foremost example of a working-class character in this film is Anthony’s love interest, Inez. ... Although the film did a good job of representing the humanistic and emotional sides to characters such as Inez and Rocky, Wes Anderson always made sure that there was a clear connection between the working-class and the institution they worked for. ... Furthermore, all the working class characters in the country club were Black. ... ” This brings us to the next issue of the intersection between racial and class differences. ...
The intersection between race and class difference is not new in the media’s portrayal of crimes committed by white people. ... ” where she states “Middle-class people have the privilege of choosing careers. ... This is a privilege denied [to] the working class and poor, whose work is a means of survival, not choice. ... Their race, but more importantly their class, gives them this cultural privilege which allows them a much softer punishment. ... However, since he dresses nicely, knows how to handle situations (such as the scene with John in the country club), and is pictured driving a Jaguar and entertaining high-class guests He is seen in a more positive light. It is the dimension of high-class sophistication and “whiteness” that gives Mr. ...
The binding element in the film that attempts to blur the class barriers and social norm restrictions is the love story between Anthony and Inez. ...
Anthony’s roll breaks through the class barrier with his crossing from a motel guest to “motel employee” in the same scene. ... It is at this moment that class is clearly not an issue for Anthony, who is willing to break class boundaries in order to prove his love.
Inez also crosses class and race boundaries in order to establish her pseudo-devotion for Anthony. ...
There are several class-related factors, however, that stood in the way of their love.
Approximate Word count = 3066
Approximate Pages = 12.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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