- What did you think of the film in and by itself, without including the association with the book?
- Surprised that the plot is not what you expected?
Surprised that the characters are not the same as in the book?
Surprised that the Italian American theme is almost absent?
REPLY: reply to a comment you don't agree with completely.
I liked the film. It was a bit too long, but I enjoyed watching Geremio's drastic character development. Even though we're supposed to write a comment about the film without associating Christ in Concrete, I have to say one thing. While reading the book, I was disappointed that Geremio died so quickly and I would have liked to read about him as well as about Paul. So while watching this movie, I liked watching the intense build-up before the building collapse. I was surprised that the plot was chosen to show Geremio's life before his death, but I appreciated it. Also, I don't think the Italian-American theme was absent. I saw Geremio experience greed, adultery, love, desires, hardships at work, and ultimately death. I feel like these are common themes when it comes to talking about Italian-Americans and their transition from leaving Italy to living in America.
ReplyDeleteI agree with mostly everything you said. Geremio is a great character and the film explored him more. However, I don't think Geremio died too quickly. That is a graphic scene that does not necessarily need to be spelled out for the viewer. Perhaps readers appreciate it more and can envision it. It was the right amount. Also, I didn't really feel the italian-American vibe in the film besides Annunziata obviously.
DeleteI liked the film. It was a bit too long, but I enjoyed watching Geremio's drastic character development. Even though we're supposed to write a comment about the film without associating Christ in Concrete, I have to say one thing. While reading the book, I was disappointed that Geremio died so quickly and I would have liked to read about him as well as about Paul. So while watching this movie, I liked watching the intense build-up before the building collapse. I was surprised that the plot was chosen to show Geremio's life before his death, but I appreciated it. Also, I don't think the Italian-American theme was absent. I saw Geremio experience greed, adultery, love, desires, hardships at work, and ultimately death. I feel like these are common themes when it comes to talking about Italian-Americans and their transition from leaving Italy to living in America.
ReplyDeletel mostly agree with you, those themes were definitely prevalent, it was an ltalian American story. l do think the film was a rather good length, the book was pretty long and l think this was their way of tying the film to the novel.
DeleteI think the film is well executed even though it obviosuly deviates from the book. i like how the film kind of goes a little further back in the timeline of when the book first starts. The film goes back to Geremio with other women and how he courts Annunziata. A big difference to me is how much Annunziata seemed angry or more cold in the film than in the novel. She is a bit less loving and sensitive than I pictured. The film is focused on on Geremio's life and career which I enjoyed. it seems like a prequel to the novel which made it very interesting. Kathleen was a bit oddly placed but i enjoyed her for Geremio's backstory.The plot was very different than I expected but it was a pleasant surprise. The characters all seemed different than the book mostly less Italian and more emigrated into American culture; especially Geremio.
ReplyDeletelt was interesting to see how the film differed from the book. lt was apparent that the studio liked the story of the book and thought it would work well as a film but took steps to distance themselves from the ltalian American - ness of the book. lt was more portrayed as a straightforward tale of sorrow in search of the American Dream, probably because that was perceived as more relatable to the American audience. l think the main difference is that the film isn't challenging to the viewer in the way it was told. The book is extremely complicated and the film is very straightforward, l think that's mainly where the deviation stems from.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to watch this movie and see the difference beween the book. I liked watching movie because it just gives the idea for us to see how Annunziata and Geremio formed the family. The film mostly focused on Geremio's work and life. It was interesting to see how the plot of the movie was different from the book. Annunziata especially seemed opposite from her character hich was described in the book. She seemed to be strong and cold woman in the movie. I think the Italian-American theme did exist in the movie. The characters were adjusted to the American environment which did not show the big struggle which new immigrants go through.
ReplyDeleteWere the characters really adjusted which would hint to being comfortable or were they just living day by day which is more straining? Also Annunziata in the film and in the novel MUST be different because life events shape the way you are and completely change your demeanor. How can she still be cold and strong if she just lost her husband and now must think of ways to keep her family afloat.
DeleteI liked the film, it was definitely a lot more interesting that i thought it would be. Geremio was relatable, he struggling to help his family, and took a job that paid more even though he knew of the safety risks involved. Its interesting to see how much these immigrants struggle just to make $1.50 a day.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that the plot was different. I felt as though i was waiting for the scene with the concrete for the entire movie, because then the plot would return to be the same as in the book.
There were some characters I was surprised did not show up in the movie. Paul was such a huge character in the book, and he only spoke a few words in the entire movie. We really didn't get to see much of the children in the movie in general. I was also very surprised that he had that affair with Kathleen.
I do not think the Italian American theme was absent. From the beginning, we saw how he brought Annunziata to America to provide a home for her. And from there on out they struggled to make a life for themselves and their children.
I personally enjoyed the film as its own entity, although it had little to relate with Italy. The story really captured the story of a good man with a clean heart and humble dreams who loses his way. He is corrupted by money and greed and becomes someone he is ashamed of. Yet, like all heroes, he bounces back with resilience. The movie of course ends in tragedy as he dies, buried alive in the concrete.
ReplyDeleteI was not surprised that the movie did not follow the book because most movies never do, and the Professor also made note of this. However, I still felt the essence of many characters, even if slightly skewed. Of course the movie is not as well developed, but both are great in their own right even if the movie ignored the Italian American immigrant story. Job brings misery, and to what end? A home? It is almost an existential crisis. When will it be enough?
I think the film meant to portray Geremio as a man with a good heart who just wanted to provide for a family. However, as I watched it, I found Geremio to be a despicable man who lies and manipulates in order to come out ahead. I didn't feel as if he was justified in doing any of these things and that a lot of his tragedy could have ultimately been avoided. Anunziata simply asked for a home and he gives her a tenement in the guise that it will be more someday. It is not wrong for him to not be able to provide however it was wrong that he knowingly lied to an innocent and confused young girl. So I don't think he ever thought of other people but ultimately what would be good for himself. He's not resilient, he's manipulative and he only becomes guilty after he sees the consequences of his actions.
DeleteI liked that the film led to how Geremio died. It kind of made me change how i felt about how and why Geremio died. The begining was kind of boring where it introduced how Geremio and Annunziata got married and built their life but over all the film was okay.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked that part. I think it gave insight into the American dream for immigrants, the way they planned on getting settled.
DeleteI like that the movie took its own take from "Christ in Concrete". I think many readers were shocked that Geremio (one of the main characters) was killed off so quickly, and therefore his story is told in "Give us this Day". I think the struggle is slightly different however. In "Give us this Day" Geremio struggles with keeping his integrity, and his values. He is a good, working man who is corrupted by American greed, a reflection of capitalism, only to be killed tragically. In "Christ in Concrete," Paul is the one who turns away from his values, and loses faith in God. Paul, in some way, sees no point in the suffering he is enduring. He does not see it as a test before the afterlife. Similarly, Geremio loses his values and focusses on making the most while he is alive. I think the concept is the focus on the Italian-American experience, executed in different ways, but equally as interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely and loved the fact that you compared Paul from the book and Getemio from the film. Well said. It's interesting to see how Paul and Geremio face situations differently.
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ReplyDelete"Give Us This Day" completely changed my preconceptions of our main characters. I had built Geremio up in my mind as this God-like character that guided his family through their hardships. It was a little refreshing to see his humanity instead of focusing completely on the mythos of his person. His imperfections were intriguing and added a sort of realism to a very philosophical story. I think when we disconnect ourselves from the novelized version of the aftermath of his life, the film somewhat falls flat. The connection between him and Anunziata feels manipulative and one-sided. Geremio almost became an antagonist in my mind, and I didn't sympathize with him as deeply as I did for Anunziata. I think the film occurring before the novel's start was an interesting take on the story but it ultimately caused me to become disconnected from their tragedy rather than fully immersed in their story. On a last note, I liked the fact that the Italian-American theme is only mentioned in passing rather than being the main theme and conflict. It added a sense of diversity to this immigrant story. It as if the concrete ultimately does not discriminate and would encase any worker, any poor immigrant, in its concrete embrace.
ReplyDeleteI liked the film but was not too enthusiastic watching it. Yes there is a lot that goes on but I personally do not like Black and White Films, they tend to bore me and that's just a personal note. The film was dramatic in its self but again for me it was difficult to watch, plus the entire time I was connecting the film to the book which led to an entire new outlook on the life of the family. I was surprised that the America-Italian theme was ALMOST absent but no entirely. I feel that the plot was more of an importance to the film rather than the aspect of American-Italian life. The plot was definitely unexpected but as I kept watching the film I grew accustomed tot he story and somehow it built a bridge from before and to the book. The characters though really surprised me because it was hard to get the book representation out of my head and who's Kathleen, where did she come from? Many characters resembled an already existing representation in my head so at times I was confused and had to form new relations with these characters. over all it was an interesting film and if we watched it before the book it wouldn't be as interesting because it was almost a "before and after" take on the entire experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is great seeing this a prequel and knowing more about Geremio and other characters. It gives a different but unique twist to the story. The first thing that caught my attention was the American kids in the begining. It was as if I was watching the wrong movie. The video showed far less of an Italian culture than the book.
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