Comparative Study of George Orwell's novel - 1984 and Kurt Wimmer's movie - Equilibrium

Comparative Study of George Orwell's novel - 1984 and Kurt Wimmer's movie - Equilibrium

Introduction

These days, Hollywood studios tend to bind on blockbusters idiots and as audiences, we should consider ourselves lucky to discover that, from time to time, even if it contains a lot of idiotic elements, based a smart message that is inserted into the script. "Equilibrium" is one of them. Director and screenwriter Kurt Wimmer passed a very important message through his film. Similarities with the famous novel "1984" by George Orwell are very marked, even verging on plagiarism from time to time.

Discussion

George Orwell's novel, 1984 covers a modern controversy that the government is constantly watching us, from hidden cameras, to tapping in our phone lines, to spies. Though this is a fictional novel, it is very similar to today's society. In the novel, the reader is introduced to Winston Smith, one who is against the Big Brother Party who is keeping Oceania under surveillance perpetually (Howe 1983). Winston takes us through his expedition on a life of secrecy. The author of the book is George Orwell. The whole novel is written in third person context and in one continuous present storyline. His writing style is superb as he puts the reader in the shoes of Winston. Every emotion Smith feels, the reader feels as well. Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling party in London, in the nation of Oceania. The nation of Oceania is constantly being under watch along with many others by the Big Brother Party. The party keeps the society under watch so that no citizen could be rebellious. The Big Brother Party prohibits free thoughts, sex, expression of individuality and even thoughts of rebellion is a crime. Winston who dislikes the party's rigid control purchases a diary to write all his rebellious thoughts. Throughout the novel, he meets Julia, his co-worker who he fell in love with. They go behind the party's back and have a secret relationship. Te party soon discovers their rebellious acts and decides to punish then severely by introducing them to room 101. Room 101 is where the characters are forced to confront their worst fear. After many years of torture, he is forced to forget about Julia and to love the Big Brother. This novel can be easily related back to our society. In the novel the society is run by the Big Brother Party. As of the real world, it is run by the government (Howe 1983).

On the other hand, Kurt Wimmer presents its perfectly futuristic world fascist like under the influence of Big Brother described in Orwell's novel. The people are condemned to feel no sense, because it is what causes violence and wars. For this, people are forced to consume a drug - the Prozium - every day, in order to destroy any trace of feeling; otherwise they would be arrested, tried and put to ...