Labyrinth(1986) Analysis
- Ellen Rouse-Barron
- Feb 26, 2016
- 4 min read
Power, love, coming of age, desires, temptation and resistance.
Labyrinth remains a fan treasure three decades after its creation, somewhat because it closely complies to the classic fairy tale complex, but above all because it breaks that same decree. The fairy tale facets are both distinct and subtle, it is a code of information passing from a childhood story to an adulthood fantasy. But even a childs story has hidden meanings that of a child would not understand. Like all classic fairy tales, Labyrinth features a young woman entering a wild place, as Sarah Waltzes innocently into the twilight of her childhood on the arm of an unknowingly dangerous temptation.
Like a stereotypical fantasy movie, Labyrinth incorporates the seemingly coexisting real and make-belive world, combing everything Sarah is in the real world into a world filled with confussion of her indecsion for what she wants. The first scene of the movie, is an establishing shot of Sarah speaking stilted language, and wearing an ambiguous medieval gown, while non-diagetic medieval music is playing, implying to the audience that the film will be a typical fantasy genre, as most are set in medieval times or around that era. She speaks to an owl perched on a statue a few feet away, "Give me the child. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, i have thought my way here to the castle, beyound the goblin city, to take back the child that you have stollen. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom as great..." This implies to the audience that the owl is no ordinary owl, but a magical creature, and we already know from the opening credits, that the owl is of some significance, as it is CGI'd flying around smoothly changing the credits. This speech foreshadows the ending, that will eventually change her life. We soon see she is rehersing lines as she repeats in a whispering confused tone; "For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great... Damn, i can never remember that line" As she pulls out a book 'The Labyrinth', this yet again forshaows the movie, as we now know that Sarah will live the fantasy of her favourite book. This telegraphs the stories willingness to subvert expectations. Also, Sarah not remebering her lines heightness the audiences connection with her because this makes her character more realistic.
Sarah is quickly taken from what is 'real', and plunged into a fantasy of hers, which is both alluring and dark, by Jareth, The Goblin King, a tempting suitor, malicious villain, and wicked, petulant playmate all in one. To make Jareth a more tempting, irresistable desire to an impressionable coming of age 16 year-old girl, he is well-endowed with props befitting a larger-than-life leading man. As Jareths goal from the begining, is to give Sarah her dreams as long as she loves him, because he loves her, and everything he does was for Sarah. Jareth, throughout the film is designed to be enticing, with a cruel charm. At the masquerade ball, there are women fawning and drapping themselves over him, this is to make Sarah jealous. He also stays close by,
keeping an eye on her, but so she can't see him or be able to go to him, this is so she knows he is there. Therefore in a place of unkown surrounded by threatening people, she will want someone she knows; Jareth. So wonders around, clueless, searching for him, which he obviously find entertaing. However, he is never far from her, he is always closer to Sarah than she think, hes always by her side. In this sequence, Sarah is the only one wearing a white dress, showing goodness, innocence and purity; as this is and illusion of Jareths for Sarah, he has placed her in that dress, knowing of her goodness, and is attempt to soil it.
The song "Within You", is about Jareths love for Sarah, and he knows that she is strong and powerful, and she with slove eveything, knowing that he can't be with her, because she won't allow it. He knows that he will nver live in her heart; "I can't live within you."
Jareth tried to 'woo' Sarah, attempting to rule her, by trying to live up to her expectation; "I'm exhausted of live upto your expectations." The Labyrinth and the challenges that Sarah faces, represent her journey from childhood to a young adult. Her journey is entirely dictated by her own decisions. Jareths mis-match roles, like his eyes, reflect Srah not understanding what she wants, which is why she has to solve the labyrinth; to know what she wants. Jareth sings "Everything i've done i've done for you..." this is the heart of the tale, as it was always Sarahs story, he made it all about her. "I move the stars for no one." He made an exception for Sarah becuase he loves her. All the power was hers, she just had to mature to realise it. The goal was never to get her baby brother back, but to show that she has the power to do anything, "The babe with power". This is when her first lines come into effect, when she finally realises what they really mean; "You have no power over me." This is when Sarah breaks the fairy tale mold completely when she refuses the love of her suitor, thus coming to her own power. And her reward were her new friends, symbolising the kingdom and power she has gained.
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