MovieChat Forums > Cake (2015) Discussion > Symbolism of swimming pools

Symbolism of swimming pools

posted 9 years ago by MdmBadenov
2 replies | jump to latest

Swimming pools, and immersion in water, was dominant throughout the film. We see scenes of Claire in the water, swimming, soaking, dangling her feet, Nina's son visiting and being excited about using the pool, Claire making herself go into her dead son's room to pull his swimming trunks out of storage, etc. The imagery of the swimming pool is a repeated motif through the whole film.

Did anyone else notice this and also wonder about it? Anyone have ideas on what the symbolism was?

[–] tsromdal 9 years ago

Loss of self, and the struggle to regain the will to live.

"I am like Cryptonite for men. Cryptonite dipped in cellulite."

[–] ollie911 8 years ago

I didn't so much see the pools as symbolism; it is a proven fact that swimming or exercising in water is much less painful than on dry land as there is no stressful impact on joints, etc. I guess if I had to give symbolism to the pools I would compare it to a womb and she is being reborn into the world.

I would give anything to have unlimited access to a swimming pool, preferably in my backyard, for the purpose of exercise, as I now have an artificial knee and an artificial hip on opposite side of my body, making even mere walking a chore.