Animal — Portrayal of The Antithesis of Love
Some reflections on the much-hyped movie
Note: This post is for people who have already watched the movie ‘Animal’. It won’t make sense if you’ve not seen it.
“Love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth. Love is as love does. Love is an act of will — namely, both an intention and action. Will also implies choice. We do not have to love. We choose to love.”
M. Scott Peck
The key word in the quote is “spiritual growth”. Honestly, I didn’t know the real meaning of this before I started writing this post.
Spiritual growth refers to the process of expanding one's understanding, connection, and awareness of the spiritual aspects of life. It involves deepening one's sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something greater than oneself, whether that be a higher power, the universe, or the interconnectedness of all existence.
This growth often involves various practices and experiences that foster personal development, such as meditation, prayer, contemplation, self-reflection, and acts of compassion and service. It can also involve exploring philosophical and existential questions, grappling with the mysteries of life and death, and seeking inner peace and harmony.
Spiritual growth is a highly individual journey, and it can take many different forms depending on a person's beliefs, values, cultural background, and life experiences. However, common themes include self-discovery, inner transformation, and a deepening sense of connection to the divine or the sacred. Ultimately, spiritual growth is about evolving into a more authentic, compassionate, and awakened human being.
Source: ChatGPT
In my opinion, love is the greatest thing in the world. It is the engine of growth and joy. It’s a pity that I had not understood or strived to find it during the first 30 years of my life. I failed to recognise its importance.
It’s hard to explain this feeling, but we badly need to understand what exactly the meaning of love is. Leaving the definition of love open and vague leads to the creation, validation and exploitation of distorted and dysfunctional meanings of love.
Clarifying the meaning of love and reinforcing my learning time and again has been a gargantuan task. But it is worth the effort because, if understood correctly, love can be the greatest force in the world that can elevate a person’s soul to a higher plane.
Every day, I reflect on things I see and memories from my past and make sure that I correct every misinterpretation of love. Every negative behaviour or feeling that emerges from a dysfunctional euphoric recall immediately acquires the correct meaning once I measure it based on Peck’s definition of love.
Watching the movie “Animal” was probably the most mentally exhausting exercise in reflecting on love because it stands for everything that isn’t love but is misinterpreted as love in our society.
The list of relationship dynamics in the movie where the antithesis of love is projected as “true love” (including the characters involved) is below:
Domestic abuse: Gitanjali and Vijay
Cheating: Gitanjali, Zoya and Vijay
Neglect: Balbir and Vijay
Physical violence: Balbir and Vijay, Vijay and Gitanjali
Gaslighting: Vijay and Gitanjali
Lack of reciprocation: Balbir and Vijay
All these negative behavioural patterns are projected as love in the movie, thanks to the magnificent visuals and background music. It’s easy for the masses to fall for this false perception of love.
The relationship between the father and son is the fulcrum of the movie. And I found it very interesting because my father was absent from my life during my formative years.
I must say that I am ignorant about a father’s love because I don’t have any standards to compare. But, recognising that neglect and one-sided love in the father-son equation is not love was not so hard. It is codependency (if I am using the term correctly). We should not eulogise this kind of relationship in the first place!
Codependency is a term that describes a relationship in which one person has an unhealthy dependence on another. This often involves one person taking on the role of caretaker, while the other person is reliant on them for support and validation. It can be a difficult pattern to break, as both parties can become emotionally dependent on each other.
There are several signs that a relationship may be codependent, including:
A lack of boundaries: In a codependent relationship, it can be difficult for either person to establish or maintain healthy boundaries. This can lead to an unhealthy enmeshment, where the needs and desires of one person are prioritized over the other.
A need for control: People in codependent relationships often feel a strong need to control the other person's behavior. This can manifest as excessive monitoring or manipulation, and can lead to resentment and conflict.
A fear of abandonment: Both parties in a codependent relationship may have a deep fear of abandonment, which can lead to clingy or needy behavior. This can create a vicious cycle, where one person's need for reassurance leads to the other person feeling smothered, which in turn reinforces the fear of abandonment.
Difficulty communicating: In a codependent relationship, it can be difficult for either person to express their needs and feelings openly and honestly. This can lead to passive-aggressive behavior, resentment, and a breakdown in communication.
Breaking free of a codependent relationship can be challenging, but it is possible. It often involves working with a therapist or counselor to develop healthy boundaries, communication skills, and self-esteem. It may also involve making difficult decisions about the future of the relationship.
Overall, codependency is a complex issue that can have a significant impact on the well-being of both parties. By understanding the signs and seeking help when needed, it is possible to overcome codependency and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Source: Grok
We don’t have to get into the husband-wife relationship in the movie. It is blatantly abusive. The relationship is initially driven by hypergamy and alpha male theories. Then, the relationship is a downright trauma bond that eventually graduates to Stockholm syndrome.
I am glad that the writers made the woman leave the relationship towards the end of the story. The lead actor’s bad behaviour is justified by citing his ultimate goal, i.e. earning/sustaining his father’s love.
I had to take multiple breaks while watching this 3-hour drama. It was not a pleasant experience, but I had to watch it with a critical eye to comment on it. Sure, it is a big success, and it is well-made. But it doesn’t contribute to the viewer’s spiritual growth.