romance in a minor key

Silberman Article on "Romance in a Minor Key"

Respond to some aspect of the Silberman article. Do you agree or disagree with his point? Interpret his point, using other articles or the film to support your argument.

In his article Silberman stresses how the film forces the viewer to identify with Madeleine in a "sphere of intimacy" and to share in her feelings of helplessness and self-pity. I agree that the narration of the film, the qualities of the characters, and the shots all facilitate this strong identification. 

Starting with the opening scene we are invited to feel pity for Madeleine, although as viewers a strong identification with her hasn't yet been established. Initially the pity evoked by the film is concern, a desire to know what has happened and what Madeleines ultimate fate will be. Following this we're brought into the past and into Madeleine's very intimate life. As viewers we have, as Silberman said, a privileged narrator position. However, we are still identifying with Madeleine because she is also (more or less) all-knowing.  The characters that are in the dark are the male characters, not Madeleine who clearly knows her own deceptive actions. 

Although the film isn't shot directly from the POV of Madeleine, the way the shots always return to her as she speaks or reactions, or use as Silberman says a short/reverse shot, we can always see how she feels or reacts and therefore maintain our connection with her. Despite the very end of the film there are rarely shots where Madeleine isn't present, meanwhile the male characters come and go from scene to scene.