GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “Panic Room” — Themes

This week we are analyzing the screenplay for the 2002 movie Panic Room.

You may access the 2000–02–23 version of the script [written by David Koepp] here.

Today we discuss the script’s themes. One obvious big one: Security. Or the perception of it.

Anna Kelian found this interesting review of the movie at a site called HollywoodJesus.com. Here are some of the themes they found in the movie:

THE HOUSE REPRESENTS NEW LIFE Following her separation from her husband, Meg seeks a new life. When viewing this film, think of the interior of the house as the interior of her being.

INNOCENCE OF A CHILD Sarah, Meg’s daughter, represents the most treasured part of Meg’s inner being. The daughter is the center of her very soul. Evil will attempt to rob her of this important treasure. Sarah symbolizes the innocence and vulnerability of our inner soul.

NOTHING ELSE IS AS IMPORTANT Sarah is positioned against an empty house. The sense here is that the child is more important than any other thing or concern in Meg’s life.

THE FIRST NIGHT To further underscore the idea of innocence and vulnerability, the film presents Meg as completely relaxed in a warm bath with a glass of wine. Note the use of soft colors.

TECHNOLOGY IS PRESENTED AS SECURE There is a safe room in the house: the panic room. It is a fully secured room. Nothing can get into this room unless the vault-like steel door is opened. Note the use of strong gray and bluish tones. Technology is presented as security.

TECHNOLOGY IS NOT THE TOTAL ANSWER. Meg feels safe with all the technology. It is useful. It lets her know that some evil men have entered the house. Ultimately, however, the message in the film is that technology cannot address the deep issues of the soul nor can it overcome the problem of evil.

EVIL PENETRATES THE HOUSE. The house, like our inner soul, is vulnerable to evil. The story takes place in the darkness of night to give the intruding evil a heightened sinister feel.

The story utilizes three men to present various forms of evil.

Forest Whitaker as Burnham = well intended “harmless” and “logical” evil.

Jared Leto as Junior = foolish, mindless and self-centered evil.

Dwight Yoakam as Raoul = heartless, relentless, and deadly evil

LOCKED IN THE PANIC ROOM The panic room represents that “safe” interior place of the soul where we go when we are threatened. It is here that we search for the inner resources to get us through.

These are some interesting observations. What do you think? See you in comments to discuss the themes in Panic Room.

For Day 1 of our analysis, go here.

For Day 2 of our analysis focusing on structure, go here.

For Day 3 of our analysis focusing on characters, go here.

The last two scripts for 2011: Cloverfield [Found Footage] for December 5–9 [which you can download here] and Buried [Contained Thriller] for December 12–16 [which you can download here].

NOTE: THIS SERIES AND THE USE OF SCRIPTS IS STRICTLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES!

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