Ghett'a Life Review

1.-  Who was your favorite character (s) from the film? Why?

One of my favorite characters from the film is by far Dawn Thompson, Derrick's mother. I think that everyone has a soft spot for characters like her, a really brave woman that fights for his son dreams. The way that she stands up against his husband to let their son become a fighter, even though she knew the consequences that he might get, she still supported him until the end. Through the entire movie she showed herself as a strong, independent woman combating the sexism an patriarchy that surrounded her.

Manuel (the Coach) was one of my favorite characters too, because I liked how he taught not only about boxing, but also about "life", if that is the correct word. He showed the guys to work and learn together and like a team, no matter what the political differences. He also had to convince himself at the first point, because he had to see beyond the politics to perceive Derrick's talent.

2.- How do we see the political conflict portrayed in the film?

Since the beginning of the movie we can deduce the political conflict. The tense atmosphere between Derrick's neighborhood (Peoples National Party) against the one that the gym guys lived (Jamaican Labour Party). In the whole movie  we could observe Don Sin and Gully Rat fighting because of their parties and the political battle.

3.-  How are woman portrayed in this film? Is it a little or a big advancement compared to The Harder They Come?

Compared to The Harder They Come, I think that there is a big advancement on how woman are portrayed. One of the main characters was Dawn Thompson, and they lay out her as a very strong woman, that didn't take anyone's bullshit and constantly defended his son, letting know his opinion. In The Harder They Come she couldn't do that.

Nevertheless, there is still a lack of woman characters and development. All the main character were male, and there is still a stereotype of what women can do. Be a good mother, like Dawn, or a good granddaughter/loved one like Camella. If there wasn't that connection, she would get like two or three lines.

The Harder They Come Review

1. In general, what did you like and dislike about the film

One of the interesting things about the film to me was thelong path that the main character had to go down to achieve his main goal: being a musician. It really got my attention because it’s well known that it’s difficult ma-king a living out of music, and watching films about that makes me realise and admire the determination that people have to make their dream come true, and also inspires me to do the same.

On the other hand, one of the things I didn’t like about the film was the lack of main characters. Maybe if they were more, the film  would be more rich of storylines and catch extra attention from the audience, but it wasn’t the case.

2. Who is your favorite character from the film?

I can´t really tell if i have a favorite chacarter, because the only one who developed a solid progress was Ivan Martin. Yes, I simpathize with him, because I love movies were the main character goes after his/her dream and acomplished it, even though the obstacles that they have to go through, but i really didn’t enjoy his attitude after he achieve his goal. The greedy attitude he got really set me off.

3. Would you recommend this film to someone, why/whynot?

Personally as a person who enjoys music, and appreciatesthe history of music, i would hihgly recomend watching this movie, because it’s a livid representation of howreggae music started. It’s also amusing making the comparation of how music was produced back then, and what it has become now in the jamaican culture. A lot of people enjoy listening reggae and it was like the first jamaican recognised genre, but nowadays the most popular and acknowledge jamaican music is dancehall. If there is a movie that shows the begining of dancehall music, I would love to watch that to!

4. How does this film contribute to postcolonial identity?

I think that reggae its one of the most important things that contributes to the jamaican identity, and all the movie goes around that. Also,  through all the film they spoke the Jamaican Creole instead of the standard english, that really helped to perceive them as an unique nation. While they relate the story of Ivan, they showed the ways of living from the jamaican culture and all their manners. All this together makes a big contribute to the postcolonial identity.