The film Sweet and Lowdown directed by Woody Allen can be interesting from a psychological viewpoint because this cinematographic work can throw light on various mood and personality disorders. Moreover, this movie can show how the distorted perception of reality can affect the life of a person and his/her interactions with other people.
This argument is particularly relevant if one speaks about the main character, called Emmett Ray. To a great extent, this individual exemplifies various behavioral problems that eventually undermine his personal relations with other people as well as his professional career. These are the main details that should be examined more closely.
One should mention that his self-assessment is distorted. For example, Emmett often lays stress on the idea that he is a distinguished musician, and to some degree, he is right; nevertheless, he cannot explain why he has fallen into obscurity many years ago. Moreover, Emmett cannot explain why he is seldom recorded. Additionally, this person suffers from inferiority complex and anxiety attacks.
Admittedly, Emmett is a very talented musician, but he continuously thinks about the superiority of Django Reinhardt. Moreover, Emmett once suffers from stage fright when he learns that Reinhardt may attend his performance. Overall, the idolization of this musician is one of the stressors for the protagonist. Secondly, this main character is affected by alcohol addiction since it often prevents him from playing.
Furthermore, Emmett Ray continuously tries to prove that he can win the hearts of women. In turn, the failure to do it is a source of great distress to him.
These are some of the main details that can be identified. Admittedly, he has some important strengths. In particular, Emmett can brilliantly express his emotions through music, and his talent is one of the things that can vindicate his misdeeds. These are some of the key details that should not be overlooked by the viewers of this film.
It is also possible to speak about the contrast between Emmett Ray’s self-concept and the way in which he is perceived by other people. For instance, he regards himself as a very talented individual whose inner world is not fully appreciated. So, he desperately wants to find a person who can do it. Moreover, he believes that other people cannot value him as a person.
Nonetheless, other people see him in a different way. The problem is that Emmett can often be viewed as an object of curiosity. This argument is particularly relevant if one speaks about Blanche Williams. In the opinion of this woman, Ray is just a representative of lower classes; therefore, he can be studied or scrutinized, but not loved.
Overall, for other people, Ray is just an egoistic and careless person who lives in the world of his dreams that are not backed up by anything. In turn, the protagonist does not want to learn how other individuals perceive him. Emmett does want to think about his shortcomings. This is one of the detail that can be singled out.
One should also discuss Emmett Ray’s relations with Hattie because she is the only person who can love him. It is necessary to keep in mind that she is a very shy person, and this quality attracts Emmett. Moreover, she is mute, but the main character does not communicate with her in a non-verbal way.
In fact, he enjoys the idea that no one can criticize him or even object to any of his statements. Overall, the main character does not value Hattie. He treats her only as a plaything that can be thrown away almost at any time. In his opinion, he is not worthy of him.
Moreover, Emmett does not realize that he hurt this woman. Thus, one can say that his selfishness is the underlying cause of misfortunes that Emmett struggles with. To some degree, it makes him blind.
In the end, he realizes that Hattie was the only person who did love him. This is one of the reasons why he says that he made a mistake. This realization shatters his inner world. Certainly, it is rather unlikely that Hattie can actually return to him, and Emmett Ray may never recover her trust.
The only thing that the protagonist can do is to apologize to Hattie. He failed to do it during their last encounter. In fact, he did not even speak about her feelings. Thus, this character can at least say that he is sorry for his mistakes. This is one of the main points that can be made.
On the whole, this film portrays a sympathetic and misguided person. To a great extent, Emmett talent is the main reason why he deserves empathy. Nevertheless, his vanity prevents him from achieving success in personal and professional life.
Emmett Ray has various psychological disorders such as inferiority complex and anxiety. Nevertheless, his major problem is related to egocentrism which impairs his objectivity. These are the main arguments that can be put forward