Enmity exists in humanity but hardly lasts forever, since it may at some point generate friendship. Some of the factors that contribute to poor relationships among individuals include jealousy, financial problems, political divisions and racial disparities. However, in some instances, the enmity may transform into friendship, and this leads to reconciliation among the disagreeing groups. The theme is depicted in the film “Catch me if you Can” in various ways. First and foremost, the marriage to Frank’s parents that was once blossoming crumbles after a divorce. In another scenario, Frank’s friendship to Brenda also turns to enmity when he realizes that she was up to flushing him out.
Discussion
Arguments against
Human beings have different desires and are controlled by emotions such as anger, love, envy or hate. Some literature state that love and hate come in equal portions, however, in some occasion; one emotion may outweigh the other. The level of hatred and enmity around the globe is worrying, and despite the efforts by some groups to restore friendship and peaceful coexistence, it has in most occasions failed. The film “Catch me if you Can” fully addresses the theme of the spiritual value of an enemy. Nevertheless, in some parts, the movie emphasizes on the transformation of friendship to enmity. Frank, while working as an emergency doctor in a hospital meets Brenda, and he falls for her. He even plans to settle down and start a family with her but later learns that she was being used by the FBI agents to capture him. Their friendship changes dramatically to hatred, and he makes an escapade before Brenda and Carl arrest him. The scene in the film provides a clear picture of the negativity in one of the promising relationship between the characters.
Over the years, the world has undergone a lot of transformations ranging from globalization to advancement in the level of technology. Human interactions around the world have also been marred by various issues and in some instances; it has ended up resulting to permanent enmity. Marital problems, for instance, have been on the increase in the past years and most of them have ended up at low tones, with once friends turning against each other. The numbers of divorce cases that have been reported in the past decade across the globe, for instance, are alarming. Some of these individuals carry on with their bitterness after their separation. Apparently, this is a perfect example of permanent enmity, and this is evident in the film. Frank’s parents’ divorce when financial problems set in the family and this turns the once good friends into enemies (Spielberg Film). The family ends up losing their home after the investigations by the IRS on his father’s financial affairs, and this further deepens the hatred between the couple. This shows that in as much as a friendship may last it may in some occasions collapse and turns to permanent enmity due to different marital issues.
In the modern society, the enmity between various criminal gangs and the security agencies have also been on the rise and this is expected to continue escalating in the future. Some of these groups include drug barons, terrorists, and armed militias. Terrorists, for instance, focus on ensuring that they intimidate and eliminate security forces and cause destruction on property. Drug barons have also had a poor relationship with the correction and police units, and this has further escalated the tension between them. The security forces such as military and FBI agents, on the other hand, focus on safeguarding the interests of the civilians and thwart efforts by the crime gangs in promoting their illegal activities. The film provides a clear picture of the enmity that exists between the criminals and individuals engaged in criminal activities. According to the movie by Steven Spielberg, Frank commits various illegal acts with the aim of generating wealth and trying to reconcile his parents. It is because of his career fabrications that he gets himself into Carl’s radar (an FBI agent) and their relationship deteriorate over time (Spielberg Film). Frank is forced to conduct various escapades with the aim of escaping the FBI agent’s traps. Based on such events in the film, it is clear that friendships may be hard to create, but enmity is easy to maintain especially when antagonistic parties confront.
Social divide is also experienced in different regions, and this has been attributed to cultural and ethnic disparity as well as unequal distribution of resources. In the U.S. and various countries across Europe, issues of racial and religious discrimination have been reported, and this has ended up resulting in enmity between the victimized groups and those driving the social injustice issues. Religious prejudices around the world have further increased tensions, anger, and hate. The decision by the U.S. president to ban individuals from some of the Islamic nations from traveling into the country, for instance, led to outcry, divisions, and hatred. Factors such as marginalization of specified regions and gender disparity have also sparked a lot of hate within communities and nations at large, and this shows that enmity may in some occasions end up being a permanent aspect of the everyday human lives. In the film, the bad relationship that exists between parents is sparked by lack of finances that makes it hard for the family to meet its daily needs.
Arguments in favor
Despite the existence of hatred and enmity around the world, in some cases, it has ended up transforming into peaceful co-existence and social interactions. Friendship among the differing groups may be witnessed after intermediation or the decision by the parties to halt their hatred through mutual consent. In the film by Steven Spielberg, provides a real-world picture of the transformation of enmity to friendship and the impacts that it has on the parties.
Excellent social interactions contribute to an increase in productivity and societal growth. Companies, for instance, have conflict resolution teams whose purpose is to address differences among employees and come up with amicable solutions. The organizational structures of such firms is designed in such a way that departmental managers help in handling wrangles that may culminate to enmity among the employees. In so doing, this helps in boosting the productivity of these workers and consequentially the company’s performance. In the movie, “Catch me if you Can” despite Carl’s introvert and no-nonsense nature, he was a good problem solver and was the reason behind the FBI unit success rate in dealing with crime-related issues in Manhattan (Spielberg Film). In the event of departmental issues among the workers, he steps in water down any form of hatred or anger. Based in this part of the movie, it is clear that successful organizations are built on friendship and not enmity.
Reconciliations have in several parts of the globe been witnessed and this has ended up helping the criminal and justice systems in handling crimes. Terrorists and drug barons, for example, who were once on the most wanted lists of the security officers have on several occasions surrendered themselves to the authorities and promised to reform to better individuals in the society. In some countries, some of these persons, after their transformation, help the police officer and the military personnel in tracking down criminals that engage in illegal activities that they were once a part. Apparently, the adversarial relationship between Frank and Carl Hanratty is a confirmation of the theme. Initially, Carl is determined to bring Frank to justice due to his con and illegal acts. Their rivalry grows over time because he keeps on escaping the FBI agent’s traps. The fact that both Frank and Carl are consumed in loneliness brings them closer and disintegrates their past enmity. At one point in time, the FBI agent saves his new friend’s life by protecting him from police killing. Frank later becomes an assistant prosecutor in Louisiana where he helps the FBI agents in tracking down con artists and other criminals. That scene of the film shows that enmity never lasts forever.
Conclusion
Based on the above argument, it is evident that friendship conquers enmity in the social co-existence. Steven Spielberg, in his film, shows that in as much as two or more parties may differ, they tend to reconcile at one point in time, and this is highlighted by Carl and Frank’s friendship that was molded from their long-founded enmity. This is sweet and spicy and everything fun but there’s no great movie without great music in it. You can read about its movie scores in this culture essay.