In the theatrical depiction of Claudia Piñeiro’s Thursday’s Widows we are invited to view the dynamic between four men as they gather each Thursday. These men hold a position of power in relation to their perceived wealth and status of their jobs. One of the members of this group is not like the others. Ronnie stands out from his peers, as he doesn’t have a job at any point in the film. However, while this is viewed within the society depicted in the film as a negative thing, or perhaps a failure on Ronnie’s part, I argue that this saves him.
Around the 1:40 mark, after Tano’s idea of dying, Ronnie gives a moving speech on his life, showcasing the love he has for his wife and son, we as viewers can compare this to how none of the other men can claim to have the same family dynamic as this. How Ronnie and Mavy and Juan are the only family depicted with any sort of relationship. One that doesn’t revolve around money, or lying, or sex. Rather their family relationship showcases what some would consider “normal” challenges, like a troubled child. This is an active critique of the upper class issues we see depicted in Tano and Teresa’s marriage, as well as Lala and Martin’s family. As the only one of the four men who doesn’t kill himself at the end of the movie, we see his separation from the capitalist ways of the others.
Ronnie’s absence from the world that killed his friends, and then his and his family’s escape from that world at the end of the movie showcases the negative connection to capitalism and the high paying jobs of the upper class.
Hi Julia, that’s an interesting point you brought up about the family dynamics of each men. It’s interesting because it seems like each character tends to stand their own or are emotionally detached from each other in some way, but we actually get a closer look at Ronnie and Mavy’s relationship and how it’s the only one that’s cohesive and supportive, unlike the others that are based on lies or trauma bonding. Even Trina leaves her newly widowed mother with Juan and his family just to escape the downfall of Cascade Heights, which speaks volumes to the turbulent times and how it influences people to make major life changes. However, I think honesty and integrity is the basis for a strong family unit like Ronnie’s to be able to make it through the financial crisis that takes place.
Hi Julia, I really like how you phrased that Ronnie and Mavi’s family escape at the end. In the last scene, as they are driving away, the camera pans down, and the gates around The Cascades close behind them. The camera is positioned on the inside of the gated community, and as they drive away, it looks like they are driving out of a prison. I think the closing scene is a perfect example of your point — the inside of The Cascades is some kind of nightmare world that hosts an almost cult like group of people obsessed with money to the point where they would commit a group suicide.