The Terminal Movie Analysis: The Rhetoric of Culture - Paper Example

This study seeks to analyze the movie; The Terminal. The main aim of the author is to develop an analytical framework, towards a product from Hollywood through an application of a cultural outlook. This is guided towards the revelation of major concerns of American citizens. These fears are the commercial consumerism and progressivism, national and social identity and the protagonists financial position (Kasser, Tim). In this approach, the author seeks to examine the level onto which this film reiterates with the U.S. human reality within intercultural or interpersonal communication.

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The initial analysis onto this movie is the external approach where the author seeks to analyze this film through interpretation of some representations towards the evaluation of the level onto which commercial consumerism in America, as a culture, affect rational thoughts. These thoughts aim at efficient management and the differences between them to the important conditions in which minorities in the U.S. are subjected, thus this film creates a reflection of their reality. On a smaller scale, the author points out at identity crises levels through utilization of the movies time axis and the protagonists identity axis. The horizontal axis refers to time while the vertical axis denotes the degree of identity crises; whether it is low or high. The time axis used is the films 2hours to represent the plots nine month period. This approach is thus, observational because it is extensively based on this movies semiotics (Nakamoto, Shinichi).

The plot of this movie is simply about an immigrant who got stranded in JFK Airport for nine months due to turmoil. Thus, national, social and financial identity analysis is integral elements analyzed by Americans during such a situation. Thus, one is left in an identity crisis especially if they hail from a minority divide. This movie is crucial as it shows the American cultures biased attitude towards immigrants reflective of the situation of some immigrants facing segregation due to racial profiling. In fact, the experiences of the main character, Viktor Navorski are similar to those underwent by foreigners who travel to the United States of America. Conclusively, the main message is that it is ironical that the country originally founded by immigrants is on the brink of denying access to the very same people who created it.

When Dixon, who is presented as a selfish bureaucrat, seeks to deny an Eastern European man passage towards his flight because he has medicine with him intended for his sick father who is in Canada. This presentation shows the shrewd nature of Americans towards immigrants and sojourners on American soil to the level of complete disregard for human life, holding too much sentimental value on their products. Thus, a majority of Americans are presented as people who disrespect diversity such as cultural uniqueness and different ethnic and racial backgrounds. Additionally, Dixon being the airport superintendent has his responsibilities cut out towards ensuring security in the international transit area. However, he depicts progressivism by advocating for tradition even in the face of tragedy by trying to maintain the status quo in a location which essentially should be a no man's territory rather than being rational. Viktor is also baffled by the fact that in the face of the crisis in his country, monitors were still making advertisements on American products showing the level at which commercial consumerism is upheld disregarding humanity.

Works Cited

Kasser, Tim. "One key feature of contemporary life is the fact that commercialization and consumerism are embedded in almost every aspect of culture. It is well-nigh impossible to avoid messages suggesting that a meaningful, happy life results from the acquisition of wealth and the possessions that convey the right image and high status. We are continually bombarded by commercial messages to this effect on television and in print advertisements, but marketers have recently become increasingly ingenious in the ...." A life worth living: Contributions to positive psychology (2006): 200.

Nakamoto, Shinichi. A Film Analysis from Perspectives of Cultural Studies: The Terminal. 1st ed., 2017, http://sucra.saitama-u.ac.jp/modules/xoonips/download.php/KY-AA11414361-02-03.pdf?file_id=6199.