Moodysson's Together

The traditional nuclear family has long been seen as the perfect model and highly desired. But not all families are perfect, and different circumstances lead to alternative family structures. Neither traditional nor nontraditional families are better than the other, as both have their own problems. Moodysson’s Together focuses on the progression of interactions between individuals and families, and how individual problems contribute to greater intra-group and inter-group conflict. Although there is a preference towards the tradition family model, the film also implies that ultimately family is self-constructed of individuals one chooses and - most importantly - stays together with. This message is weaved within the film by exploring the aspects …show more content…
He consistently makes the effort to be calm, responsible, understanding, tries to diffuse conflict, and staying open-minded. He believes in people working together in harmony and cooperation that allows people to be “part of something bigger than ourselves”, as he compares people to oat flakes. People working together can create something greater, just as many oat flakes come together to make up porridge, and it is better than being alone like a single oat flake. However despite his peaceful ways, he is seen as the unofficial authority figure that members of the commune go to for conflict resolution and decision-making. In addition, when he lets his sister Elizabeth and her children to move into the commune, they are essentially his responsibility as dependents. He becomes their protector, and in this way is placed into a patriarchal role. Goran’s relationship with Lena is his strongest attempt at rejecting traditional patriarchal expectations - their open relationship is far from traditional family structure, and it is visible that Goran tries hard to keep an open mind, be understanding, and sensitive to Lena’s needs. Ultimately it falls apart when his emotions become stronger than his rationalizing, and he falls into the aggressive male stereotype by forcibly evicting Lena from the commune. It is …show more content…
Having once been the father of his nuclear family unit, Anna’s homosexuality bothers him, and he overcompensates in asserting his male-ness. This is evident from his blunt, aggressive, provoking behavior, and when he exposed his genitals in the kitchen as a response to Anna doing so. He consistently rejected Klas’ advances, and was so confident in his heterosexuality he challenged Klas to arouse him. Lasse comes to terms with his sexuality when he loses the challenge, and it brings a very obvious change in the commune’s atmosphere, as his nuclear family unit is dismantled. Lasse’s self-acceptance results in his being a happier man and the clashes between him and Anna have dwindled. The nuclear family arrangement didn’t work for them, and luckily they manage to find a way to continue raising their