Ma Vie en Rose, Movie Review Example

According to the movie, Ludovic is in the fifth developmental stages as stated by Erikson (Identity versus Role Confusion: Psychosexual Mode is Puberty). This period upholds a basic task of separation of oneself from same-sex parents into assuming an identity of one’s own. Identity in this instance for Ludovic is visible when he dresses like a girl and her role model becomes the doll (Pam) who is a fantasy. Most of his weekdays, he spends watching TV and imitates girls dancing and behavior, which he emulates later during the day. This period for Ludovic is an identity crisis time because his turning point is filled with heightened potential and increased vulnerability. The task associated with this period, as stated by Erikson, is that of consistency to one’s core self in one’s ideology (Hutchison 132). The best coping mechanism to be applied by Ludovic is that of positive role identity or achievement. The sense here is for an individual to really know and understand whom one is and generally comprehend where one is headed in life. In essence, Ludovic is not coping well with the new stage of development since he is ridiculed by society, friends and even family members. This is a negative influence to his identity and has forced him to spend most of his time alone, which has affected his social ties. This negativity is driving him to the wall to the point of wanting to commit suicide. He feels rejected and not part of the community and family (Hutchison, 2010, p.133). Additionally, his academic performance is affected because of his change of school at the middle of the year. This affects his social relationships and will also spill over to the next development stage. As a result, parents need to understand how to cope, with the present situation, to be able to help him transition to the next stage of development because this affects his self-esteem.

The sixth stage is the next for Ludovic to enter as it postulates Intimacy versus Isolation (Psychosexual Mode is Genitality). His basic strength becomes mutual sharing and closeness, which he lost in the previous stage especially towards his mother (Hutchison, 2010, p.132). In expressing intimacy, Ludovic tries to maintain friendships, physical and emotional ties, becomes open and willing to interact through participating in groups and games both at school and work. In the earlier stage, he felt inferior in reference to social ties and academic performance, and this is also visible through his isolation tactics. His expressions are visible through his questions of job performance (academic), withdrew, maintained isolation and self defeating behavior. These expressions are signs of failure to him, and this affects his progress of development (Hutchison, 2010, p.134).

Ludovic has developed the avoidant attachment style. This is visible with the fact that he is comfortable leaving the house without the mother, and seeking comfort on the Pam doll. His responses are the same, and this contributes to isolation from the female gender because of the rejection. If this continues the child is going to develop an insecure response that is disoriented or disorganized (Hutchison, 2010, p.136). Ludovic is going to display contradictory behavior and even though he may attempt physical closeness, he will tend to retreat with acts of avoidance.

In early childhood, Piaget describes egocentrism as the reality perceived by children in accordance with their experience and believes which at the centre of their existence (Hutchison, 2010, p.144). In the video, Ludovic was affected by this psychological phenomenon when the neighbors painted graffiti on their wall. He was asleep and awoke running, towards his mother, to tell her that he has had his monthly periods. To his surprise the mother was angry and immediately dragged him inside and shaved his hair. This act psychologically affected his development, and he refused to talk with the mother, but preferred to talk with the grandmother.

According to Hutchison, play is important since it gives an opportunity to the children to explore reality and gain control of situations (2010, p.155). In addition, it contributes to a child’s cognitive development and acts as a route to their attachment to their fathers. Consequently, play gives children a shared experience, and this builds their social relationship state of mind. In Ludovic’s development pattern, play and parties are a negative factor because family members, peers, and friends reject her transgender identity.

Personally, I believe that transgender individuals are human beings and need to be accorded the respect they deserve. This family is not hard to work with so yes, I would work comfortably with them. The only aspects I need to respect is Ludovic’s space and investigate on ways and means of helping him understand and accept his identity without causing conflict. Prejudices are part of human survival, and in this case, I would direct towards the parents when they screamed at each other at the doctor’s appointment. As adults, they need to behave in a mature and intelligent manner because they are the older people and Ludovic is the child. It is apparent that they have marital problems with regard to Ludovic’s state and this has made them drift away from each other. The unfair treatment also accorded to Ludovic by the neighbors is not justifiable for adults to behave in this manner. The unfair treatment by adults shows how society is ignorant of global changes taking place and how people treat lesbians and gays in the contemporary society.

References

Hutchison, E. D. (2010). Dimensions of Human Behavior: The Changing Life Course (4^th ed.). New York: SAGE.

Scotta, C. (Producer) & Berliner, A. (Director). (1999). Ma Vie en Rose [Motion picture]. United States: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video.