In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, we talk about themes that help us understand the film.
The themes and meaning of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Time and experience
Early in Pinocchio, we see the terrific bond between Gepetto and his son Carlo. The two are perfectly in sync and happy together. Then Carlo passes and the Wood Sprite takes pity on Gepetto by bringing Pinocchio to life. What Gepetto wants is for his relationship with Pinocchio to be exactly what it was like with Carlo. Except Pinocchio is brand new to the world and immature to the point of being a burden. He’s selfish and wants instant gratification.
But over the course of the film, Pinocchio grows. Time and experience reshape his behavior. He comes to cherish Gepetto. Care for his friends. Provide for others. This happens not in spite of the negative experiences Pinocchio has but because of them. This culminates with an appreciation for time.
When Pinocchio first dies, the Chimera of Death explains the wooden boy is essentially immortal. He just has to wait for a period of time in the afterlife before returning to his body. But each passing means the time to return takes longer. Initially, this isn’t a big deal. Pinocchio is selfish and believes he has more than enough time. But he eventually realizes the cost of time. Specifically that while he’s in the afterlife, he’s gone from the people who care about him. And could potentially never see them again. He comes to cherish every second he has with those he loves. Which leads us to the theme of…
Death, peace, and acceptance
Pinocchio ends with a stretch of losses. Gepetto passes away in his sleep. Then Sebastian J. Cricket. Then Spazzatura. It’s sad to see the demise of these characters we’ve come to care about. It could be seen as something negative. But del Toro presents these losses as something peaceful. It’s not tragedy. There isn’t pain. Just a transition. And Pinocchio isn’t mad or upset or hurting. Instead, he’s serene. Because he’s grateful for the time he had with everyone. And they felt the same. The love and time they shared allows them to accept death. That’s the gift Pinocchio gave each and every one of them. And I think it’s a lesson to everyone who watches this movie, young and old.
Altruism vs selfishness, and fascism
Pinocchio’s initial behavior is self-centered. He wants hot chocolate because others have hot chocolate. He doesn’t want to go to school, he wants to go off and be a star and receive attention and adoration. In these times, Pinocchio’s at his most awful. As a son, as a friend, as a person. But he comes to appreciate the concept of putting others first. Of friendship and love and benefitting from helping and caring for others. His befriending of Candlewick, Spazzatura, and others has a positive impact on their lives. Both end up helping Pinocchio. With Spazzatura playing an instrumental role in reuniting the wooden lad with his father and helping them escape from the whale.
These themes extend into the film’s setting: Italy during World War I. The politics of the war are more than a backdrop, as they actively affect the lives of our characters. And Italy was very fascist. Fascism is incredibly selfish and self-interested and often relies on an “us vs them” mindset that has, over and over again, proven destructive. It pretty much scoffs at altruism.
It’s very purposeful that one subplot involves Podestà recruiting Pinocchio, Candlewick, and other children into Mussolini’s youth camp, training them for war. The political system of a country can greatly affect the youth of the nation, indoctrinating them into beliefs they may never have had. It’s possible two kind kids like Pinocchio and Candlewick could have been turned into much worse people. Or their lives lost on the battlefield. Larger forces were against Pinocchio growing into a good person. But he persevered. Stay true to what he believed was right. And kindness won the day. Just like Spazzatura deciding to side with Pinocchio rather than continue to follow the awful Count Volpe.
What are your thoughts?
Are there more themes you think should be part of the Colossus Movie Guide for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio? Leave your comments below and we’ll consider updating the guide.
Write a response