Critical Essay on Annie Baker's The Flick

Introduction

This paper will provide an analysis of key points. The Flick is about three low-paid employees in a move theater. They struggle to make ends meet and find their purpose, their lives, and their identity within the job they have. The Flick's main characters are Avery, an African American student who is taking a leave from college to work in theater. Sam, a white man still living at home with his parents, and Rose, a female projectionist wearing baggy clothes who is also taking a leave from college.

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I was struck by the stereotypes that each character has based on their class, race, or gender. Avery initially seems very uncomfortable and intrusive. However, Sam can clearly tell that he is glad to have a new coworker at work. Sam feels betrayed by the fact that Rose was taught how to use the projector by the theater owner, even though Rose has been with them for four months. Avery becomes more comfortable with his coworkers, and he opens up about his problems. Avery acknowledges that he was raised in a dysfunctional home. He also admitted that he tried to commit suicide by relying on his father. Sam is conflicted about the deep love he feels for Rose, who seems to be oblivious of anything that doesn't have to do her life. The co-workers referred to dinner money as dinner money. This is an important part of the pay. Rose and Sam essentially stole money from the theatre and called it dinner money. They betrayed their boss by taking some of the profits to their own use. Although this isn't a major betrayal, it is one among many that is present in the play.

Moving on in The Flick, Sam will be traveling to his brothers' wedding for a weekend. In a few scenes, there are many little details that tie into the themes. Avery is informed by Sam that his brother and the girl he is marrying are both mentally disabled. Rose and Sam plan to go to a dance party while Sam is away. However, Rose feels embarrassed that Avery kept dancing to the upbeat music and Rose doesn't do any dancing. The two then sit together to watch the movie Avery selected. Avery seems to be enjoying the movie, but viewers soon discover that Rose has an entirely different opinion. Rose starts to sexually abuse Avery, and it is easy to see that Avery doesn't enjoy this. Rose walks out of the theater, and Avery sits, looking very traumatized. Rose then learns that Avery has been sexually abused in the past. Rose and Avery discuss their inner conflicts and Rose shows Avery how the projector works in case Avery is ill and cannot come to work. Sam then discovers that Rose had told Avery that Sam was mentally disabled. Sam feels betrayed and shuns Rose after learning that Rose had taught Avery how to use a projector. After several scenes of silence, Avery and Sam start talking again. Sam tells the crowd that he doesn't want his brother's happiness because he can't find it.

The play's last major event is when The Flick goes to auction. The new owner plans to get rid of the projector-system, and install a more modern one. The theater's dinner money was stolen by the employees. Avery, who sent the letter requesting a reversal of the move to a modern theater, finds out and blames him. Rose and Sam then refuse to accept Avery's guilt. Rose says that Avery is able to earn an additional income through his father, and that Rose should be held responsible for the loss of their income. Sam and Rose have no other source of income than the theatre. Rose and Sam keep their jobs, but Avery is fired from the team.