Applying Lacan's Theory: Bad Mom's Scene

Applying Lacan's theory to Bad Mom's: The PTA Meeting

Bad Mom's is a 2016 Comedy genre film directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, which focuses upon the plot "When three overworked and under-appreciated moms are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun and comedic self-indulgence." (IMDB, 2018). In this particular scene, we see the characters of Gwendolyn James (the current PTA president) upholding an emergency PTA meeting to parents and carers of the school. We also see the other character of Amy Mitchell who has arrived late from a long day of work. I feel we can apply Lacan's theory significantly to this scene, whilst also arguing an opposing conformity of the theory. I will also be referring to Freudian's theory of 'the Self'.

The scene starts with an establishing shot of the school, followed by a shot of Gwendolyn James introducing the meeting. We can immediately see that within the mise-en scene, Gwendolyn is dressed professionally, wearing a full suit, with good posture and public speaker manerisms, she is also placed on a platform above the audience of other mothers. Her name is written in Gold, with the text shining behind her - the directors Lucas and Moore has evidently done this to portray how Gwendolyn is the 'perfect' mum, an ideal figure for other mums to look up to, this is further pushed forward in the next shot where we see the audience of mothers wearing casual clothing, looking substantially less professional than Gwendolyn. This can be also reinforced by the camera and lighting techniques, as Gwendolyn is well lit and considered in the 'spotlight', where as the other mothers are in the dark. Applying Lacan's theory into this, I believe the directors are portraying Gwendolyn as the perfect reflection of a mother, where as all of the other mums in the audience are the Ego, listening and engaging in how to become like her. The scene following this portrays the arrival of Amy Mitchell, who is portrayed to be distressed, due to her suit - similar to Gwendolyn's, being damaged, cut up & not worn in the professional manner. This creates a distinctive binary opposition between the two characters (arguably, including the other mothers on Amy's side) trying to reach up to the goal of the Super-ego (Gwendolyn) ). 

As the film is a comedy, we do have some comedic references and an exaggerative perception to the mothers stereotype "Farce is a type of comedy that uses absurd and highly improbable events in the plot. Situations are humorous because of their ludicrous and often ridiculous nature"(The Drama Teacher, 2018). The emergency meeting is held due to the annual bake sale, with banned ingredients being highlighted (and exaggerated). We hear Amy's character sigh with the line "you've got to be kidding me". This displays how the character is worn out with trying to conform with the super-ego, and the Id is becoming overpowering, as she sees the reflection to be unreachable. The other mothers in the audience are listening still as they are fixated on achieving the role of a perfect mother. The id eventually overpowers Amy's mind after she tells Gwendolyn that she will not be partaking in the bake sale 'police force' - although comedical, we see that Gwendolyn's social stance is much higher than Amy's due to the other mothers being shocked (with audible diegetic gasps, heard from the other mothers). I believe the directors focused upon this in order to portray Lacan's theory is supported in all ranges of adulthood, that relevantly, woman with children try to compete to be the perfect mum, they are shocked when Amy goes against this.

The technical codes help reinforce the application of Lacan in this scene, The angles in particularly and the lighting. The mum's aspiring to be Gwendolyn James are constantly in the dark and shot at a high angle, reinforcing they are lacking the 'perfection' and power Gwendolyn holds. Gwendolyn is also dressed in a suit where as the other mum's are wearing everyday casual wear, reinforcing my point of lack.

Bibliography:

IMDB, Accessed 6th December 2018, [online] - Bad Moms (2016) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4651520/

The Drama Teacher, Accessed 6th December 2018, [online], - Farce - The Drama Teacher, https://thedramateacher.com/farce/