Film Writing

Going off of what we were talking about in class yesterday, Watchmen is much more than just an appealing story about aging costumed heroes in the midst of a "warm" reinterpretation of the Cold War. It seems to me all of us agree that where both the graphic novel and the film are at their best is in not so subtly bringing up some much bigger, deeper questions about humanity, how we see the world and the people living in it. And ultimately, among many different backstories and ideas, I think there is one central theme in the story that stands out above all the rest--justice. From the mysterious murder of the comedian at the beginning, to Rorschach's burning of the guy who murdered the little girl, to the group's struggle over whether what Veight did was right at the very end, each of these invariably comes back to, and evenutally ends with, justice--in one form or another.

I think the biggest reason for why the theme of justice sticks out comes back to what Dan suggested yesterday about Rorschach being the central character. I couldn't agree more. Beyond repeated references to his journal writings, Rorschach's also stands alone because of his mask--and the fact that he hasn't taken it off even though everyone else has--which gets into what we were saying yesterday about the bystander effect and there being no one willing to step up and fight back in the face of crime and injustice. As Dan said, his whole persona seems to rebel against that idea, as he represents the unswaying, unforgiving arm of justice from the first page to the last. From his relentless pursuit of the comedian's killer, to his burning alive of the child-murderer, to his absolute refusal to accept the group's decision to remain silent about Veidt's plan, and finally to his sending of his journal to the press.

As we said yesterday, Rorschach was black and white when it came to justice. He saw good and evil, right and wrong, and nothing more. And as someone (I can't remember who) pointed out so well, this allows for multiple interpretations of his character--whether you want to see a pretty flower or a seriously screwed up man--just like there are countless interpretations of the Rorschach ink-blots on his mask.

Anyway, the point in all this is that I'd love to hear what other people think about Rorschach. Do you agree that he is the central character? How do you feel about the ending, and his refusal to acccept injustice to the very end, even if it meant possibly saving the world from nuclear holocaust? And if he is the central character, what does that say about the commentary of the story as a whole?