I saw this movie when it first was released years ago. I was in a different state of mind, struggling to maintain my wall against the power of emotion, distracted and not open to the themes and symbolism of this beautiful film. Honestly, I had little memory of the plot or characters other than the setting in fascist Franco Spain after the civil war.
I was alone tonight after a very trying day and granted myself the pleasure of a movie and a glass of wine. Thumbing through Amazon, I ended up with this film. I'm not certain what drew me to it. I found myself nearly breathless through numerous scenes. The conclusion of Ofelia's quest reduced me to tears for well over half an hour. As I gained my composure, I started to reflect on why this film had such power over me.
I've concluded that the symbols of Ofelia, her relationship with her mother, represion by evil stepfather (Vidal), perplexing nature of her mother's pregnancy and her own emergence into womanhood beginning puberty and the quest to regain her place as a princess had direct analogy to TG life and transitioning struggles.
Wow, all this without the benefit of HRT. Can't imagine what I'd be like with it.
It might be a 2 glass of wine night after all.
Steph
It's one of my favorites too, although I've never even tried to analyze why. I just find it hauntingly beautiful...
I mostly like Del Toro's older work, but Pan's Labyrinth also managed to get some emotion out of me, which is rare for a movie.
A friend of mine from high school told me about that movie. He showed me that pale monster and I would always do an impersonation of it's hands to his eyes and it always freaked him out :p
Years later I finally saw it because my roommate had it and I really enjoyed that movie a lot. It's pretty good.