I know it's been said many times before, but I Saw the TV Glow is literally insane to me. There's an aspect to it that I don't think people talk about enough, which is the fact that that Owen/Isabel has to literally bury herself alive to reach the life she's supposed to be living. And she doesn't even know if it's really true, if ending her own "life" will truly save her, or just kill her. And that's why she's so reluctant to do it. That's why she doesn't do it. Like everything in this movie, it's a perfect reflection of the part of being transgender where you have to kill the person you were to live as the person you are meant to be. And you don't know if it's right, if transitioning and moving on from the person you used to be is the right decision, because what if it does actually kill you? What if you lose everything? While I know in most cases, transitioning will save someone, its that fear that what you're feeling isn't real and you're making the wrong decision that I think is so perfectly shown in this movie.
Comments
Displaying 2 of 2 comments ( View all | Add Comment )
Chains_Of_Love
I've seen almost all of Jane Schoenbrun's filmography and I think I Saw The TV Glow is one of her stronger films. I do disagree with it being a perfect allegory especially with how it centres things like race and class but the overall positive message is heartwarming.
I do really like the elements you highlighted and I think they're a stronger part of the metaphor.
you're totally right that it's not perfect, i guess i was just using that word for emphasis lol. of course im no film expert, just a movie enjoyer who happened to really relate to this one :)
by ghosting/xiv; ; Report