Ruining Your Childhood: Let’s Discuss Finding Nemo
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When ‘Finding Nemo‘ first graced our screens back in 2003, it was instantaneously adored, a cherished family film teeming with mirth and daring adventures. Yet, as we matured, revisiting the film with a discerning eye, we unearthed a narrative far removed from the innocent veneer. A tale that plunged into darker depths, resonating with profound sorrow and the inexorable reality of grief and loss. The staggering revelation unfolds – Nemo, in fact, does not exist.
The film inaugurates with a devastating episode where a menacing barracuda launches an attack on Marlin, his spouse, and their brood of eggs, sparing only Marlin and a single egg. Marlin, now consumed by guilt and fear, conjures up Nemo as an embodiment of his own insecurities, a coping mechanism to grapple with the catastrophic loss of his kin. Nemo evolves into the offspring he yearns he could have shielded, and the quest to locate him is truly Marlin’s odyssey to reconcile with his profound grief.
As the film unravels, Marlin embarks on the emotional pilgrimage through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, despair, and ultimately, acceptance. He wallows in denial as he first conceives Nemo, convincing himself that the barracuda overlooked a solitary egg. His fury manifests when he endeavours to shield Nemo from the perilous ocean, vehemently prohibiting him from venturing into the open waters. He is in the throes of bargaining when he strikes a pact with Dory to unearth Nemo, plunging into despair when he is convinced of Nemo’s demise. Eventually, he attains acceptance when he discerns that Nemo is secure and content, signalling his readiness to release his grasp and move forward.
The stark truth, however, remains that Nemo never materialised in a physical sense. He was merely a figment of Marlin’s psyche, a balm to soothe the intense pain and loss he endured. Nemo served as Marlin’s conduit to cling onto the vestiges of his departed family, a means to perpetuate their existence within the realms of his mind. This revelation transmutes ‘Finding Nemo’ from a lively, thrilling escapade into a poignant narrative of immeasurable grief and loss.
Pixar has always been lauded for its knack of weaving narratives that reverberate with both children and adults alike, and ‘Finding Nemo’ is an exemplar of this storytelling prowess. It narrates the tale of a father’s unwavering love for his son, and the extraordinary lengths he would traverse to safeguard him. Simultaneously, it delves into the agony of loss, and the distinct paths we all tread to come to terms with it. Thus, during your subsequent viewing of ‘Finding Nemo’, peer beyond the vibrant aquatic life and the comedic interludes, and discern the profound, emotive narrative concealed beneath the surface. A tale that leaves you dumbfounded and shattered, yet one that stirs your soul in ways you never anticipated.
A noteworthy postscript: “Nemo” is derived from Latin, translating to “no one” or “nobody”.
