SSC Film Studies

Our response to a film is determined by how we are made to identify with a character. How fare has this been true for Full Metal Jacket?

My response towards Pyle in Full Metal Jacket is sympathy as I can recognise and imagine what Pyle is going through to be instantly horrific, but I have never experienced or been part of something similar therefore I am more likely to align with the group rather than Pyle. Due to me having more access to the point of view of the group I can identify with them in the sense of endorsing their behaviour and their attitudes. 

Straightaway from the beginning of the film I am focused to align with the group as one and not as an individuals   as in the opening sequence we shown each individual having their head shaved giving them a uniform look and they are essentially indistinguishable from one another. The spectator as constantly being reinforced that Pyle is different and an ‘outsider’ to the group as he is constantly being physically punished for his disobedient or wrong doing and this isn’t seen with the other characters as Joker is praised for his wrong doing.

The boot camp sequence reinforces the fact tat he is isolated both physically and mentally as the actor of Pyle was told to add 30 pounds for his character, comments such as ‘fat arse’ therefore show that he isn’t as physical as the group. Through the boot camp sequence the spectator is seen Pyle as being isolated as the group are being to turn against him as Cowboy looks at him in disgust, the moment that he realizes that he is a problem for them.