RheWatches: Hook (1991)
You'll clutch your pearls over what I have to say about Captain James Hook...
I’ve been thinking and dreaming and stalling on launching this RheWatches series for quite some time now. Overthinking and all that. So I’ve promised myself not to do that this time. From hence forth, RheWatches will be a place for my initial curiosities, reactions, and dot connecting– not some academic scholar level thesis which I was convinced it should be for a long time.
I have my first improv show later today and I’ve been feeling a bit nervous. To combat that feeling, I decided to do something to make me feel playful and a little sentimental, of course. The two always seem to go hand in hand with me. With about four hours ‘til my call time, I decided to plop onto my lumpy red couch and watch Hook (1991). I love Robin Williams. Watching him play makes me feel so in touch with the purest parts of myself and humanity.
I really enjoyed the movie. It’s a heartfelt, whimsical spectacle that’s exciting and still manages to stay true to its bedtime story origins. I couldn’t help but notice, however, that in more ways than one, the story of Peter Pan is a manifestation of European colonialism in America aka The New World aka Never Never Land.
The Lost Boys are for all intents and purposes are living in a never ending game of pirates vs “indians.” They always position themselves as “indians” while going as far as dressing up like them and incorporating vague tribe-inspired methods of play. I put the identity in lowercase letters and air quotes because they are very clearly inaccurate, distasteful caricaturization of Native American people and other “uncivilized” people according to European standards. (ew, boo) But make no mistake. This unruly, uncivilized, free lifestyle is a highly sought after prize for the New World Conqueror.
I won’t pretend to know the details of the original Peter Pan theatrical play that was published in 1904, London England. But, I imagine by that time, that generation of people have stopped calling America “The New World.” Though, I wonder about the stories people must have told of The New World and what creative liberties they would make when children were listening. Think of the people- the men who upended their whole life in discovery of the New World. What type of freedoms were they after? What type of rules and restraint were they denying in England? Bare-chested, with fists full of “new land,” these were men injected with the youthful promise of a new country, new identity, and an unregulated sense of power. In so many ways, they could make new rules and games to play by. (gross)
I really need to get some thoughts off my chest about Captain Hook, the villain of our story, or one of them anyways. It took me a moment to really piece together what he could possibly represent, but I’ve landed somewhere that satisfies me for now. Hook, more or less, looks the same in most Peter Pan adaptations. Big curly black hair, reminiscent to England’s Judicial courtroom traditions. Flamboyant black facial hair. Gaudy red robes. And a hook for a hand due to Peter Pan’s youthful, rebellious antics. Mind you, underneath it all, he is just an old white man. I never really gave this much thought until this now.
What is Captain Hook afraid of? If you answered Peter Pan, you’d be wrong, my friend. Peter Pan, though he is an enemy, is the lively adventure that good ole Captain. James Hook lives for. He hungers for the bloody war. He’s desperate for the attention from this youthful savage. For, without Peter Pan, what relevancy or power does Captain Hook have? In the eyes of James Hook, what worth is a man if he have no enemy to sword? So this brings us back to the original question: what is Captain Hook afraid of? If you answered the crocodile, you’re getting much closer. The crocodile is merely a manifestation of a ticking clock. The unbiased ticking clock is his villain and greatest fear. We know this because we hear ominous ticking whenever the crocodile gets close in the 1954 Disney animation. In the 1991 live action reimagining, Hook, the crocodile is a clock, specifically designed to resemble the iconic English clock tower, Big Ben. Even The Lost Boys use a collection of old ticking alarm clocks to use as a weapon against Captain Hook and his idiot pirate cronies. What is visually appealing only scratches the surface of its deeper meaning.
The unknowingness of death is a huge theme in Peter Pan that often gets swept under the rug. “To die would be a great adventure,” says Peter Pan, a child, who sees everything as an endless, consequence-less game. But you know who you wouldn’t catch using a phrase like that? Captain Hook. I understood this at the final battle between Pan and Hook. In an epic sword fight, Peter knocks of Hook’s black wig, revealing a very old head with wispy white hair. Y’all, this is an old white man afraid of death, losing his power, and ultimately losing his chance to savagely conquer the world like Peter Pan and The Lost Boys. Hook is jealous. He always has been. I also think it’s interesting that his wig is black. I think that it can be split into to insidious ideas. I see the shape of the wig as a denial of the parliament rules that have restricted Hook. Simultaneously, he uses its English cultural status to enact power, identity, and hierarchy upon The New World. Secondly, I wonder if using the color black manifests the sought after freedom of the “indians” in The New World or Never Never Land. It feels as if he’s trying on the perceived identity of the land and molding it to his benefit. Let’s not forget the 1953 Disney adaptation features a native American tribe. Hook sees himself as part savage part Englishmen. He grasps at youth and white-knuckle-grips onto power, but ultimately it’s all a facade that is ripped away from him in his final hours.
Writing this all down makes me feel like I’m asking you to wag your finger at a movie and story that’s likely been a treasured part of your childhood. That’s not necessarily my intention. There was plenty to enjoy. I’m just here to connect some dots. Here, I’ll give you something positive:
Peter Panning (Robin Williams) is on a journey of self re-discovery. By becoming a successful adult in an 80’s corporate centered, capitalist society, he’s lost his playful nature and his ability to care for his relationships. Relearning how to play is an invaluable gift that I believe every adult deserves. Without play there really is not love or zest for life. I’m serious. To play can look different for everyone. Still, I truly believe that the best parts of life are the moments filled with love, connection, and play. That’s partially the reason I decided to take an improv class.
All hail Dante Boscoe who plays Prince Zuko in Avatar The Last Airbender, Jake in American Dragon Jake Long, and the legendary Rufio in Hook. Charismatic king. When Rufio dies, they get over too quickly if you ask me.
But they transfer leadership over The Lost Boys to this king so I can’t stay mad tbh
One last thing about The Diva Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman). The inside of his study is so gorgeous and whimsical. It kind of reminds me of how I’ve decorated my house; very theatrical and regal, mixed with all sorts of knick-knacks and treasures.
Oh, let me say this. I know a John Williams score when I hear it, okay? His use of the french horn is so iconic and recognizable, but more on that later.
Okay. Don't hate me. Well, feel the way you need to about me because I’m gonna say what I need to say regardless. I do not like the use of women in Hook. I say the word use because they are tools and props, not characters. First of all… Peter Pan, a child, has always had some sort of romantic/intimate tension with Wendy, Tinkerbell, the mermaids, and Tiger Lilly, an indian girl in Never Never Land. I think this tells a story of promiscuous freedom celebrated in youthful masculinity, but ultimately shameful and disastrous for femininity of any age. All the girls want his attention and huff and puff when they feel they’ve been betrayed or slighted by him. Peter, however, either doesn’t care or never seems to notice. It’s weird. In Hook it’s the same situation except to further the absurdity, the women’s primary role is to build compassion, self confidence, and a sense of belonging within Peter. All the women serve as maternal moral compasses for him. And whenever the women express their own needs or dissatisfaction, they are of course, seen as frivolous. Predictable. Whatever. I’m not even going to get into how much of a bird brain Tinkerbell is in this movie. Girl. Tinkerbell, stand up.
OH oh oh! I’d like to give an honorable mention to Peter Pan’s shadow. Hook is filled to the brim with whimsically satisfying practical effects and Peter Pan’s shadow is my favorite. Usually, characterized as a selfishly rebellious trouble maker, this movie honors that while also making it a compelling inner voice that guides Peter back to his true self. Watching the shadow comunicate with Peter felt like watching someone remember their inner child. It’s very heartfelt and playful. I liked it.
And for those of you who are curious… my improv show was great. The whole team was on their A Game. I felt very playful, I made myself laugh, and got lots of laughs from others. I signed up for improv because I wanted to learn to trust myself and not over think when it comes to storytelling. So far, I think it’s helped, but the journey isn’t over.
:)
Until next time,
-rheann