Voice and Audience ~ The Family Stone

Two of our assignments this quarter was to watch a video several times. After our unit on Identity we were given a chose on several movies to view. In this peticular assignment I chose The Family Stone. This movie presented a great view of what it is to be a outsider/outcast. Another part of the assignment was to take our thoughts, ideas and views and present them to other classmates that watched the same video. This presented a great opportunity to hear other opinions and voices on who they thought certain charactors in the movies was considered and outsider, and what made them come to the conclusion. Below is my effort in the Discussion Board assignment for this video.

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  In the beginning of this movie, Meredith is going to visit her boyfriend’s (Everett), family for Christmas. She has only met one family member, a younger sister Amy, from a past visit. Before Meredith and Everett show up, Amy is giving a “briefing” on what type of person Meredith is. Uptight and high strong, with an annoying throat tick when she gets nervous. This gives the family a painted picture before they even meet Meredith of what type of person she may be. The family watches Meredith and Everett pull up in the car. Everett quickly tells Meredith that his family are all in the house at the window watching her. So before she even enters the house, she knows the family has been waiting and watching for “her”. Kelli, Everett’s dad comes out to greet the two of them, giving them hugs. It seems clear that Meredith is uncomfortable with the “hugging” introductions and prefers to shake hands.
  
  I think this incident shows perspective of others by when the family listens to what Amy has to say about their first meeting, which allows the family to make a presumption of her character and personality. That she is a professional businesswoman that is high strong, uptight and has annoying habits. She is warned by Everett that his family is watching through the window. I think the filmmaker wants us to see that she is a outcast before she even walks through door.