Oskar's five stages of grief (spoilers)
It occurred to me tonight that this movie, while about a lot of things like betrayal, theft, duty to colleagues, honesty, and being a great teacher . . . is centrally about Oskar, and his journey through grieving for his relationship with his mother. He experiences anger, denial, depression. He bargains. And finally, he accepts. All the while taking his emotions out on the messenger, his beloved teacher. And all the while Carla Nowak never gives up on him, and waits patiently for him to make his journey, and doesn't close the door to him. It is a beautiful portrait of a teacher/student relationship and kind friendship.
share