Film Review: Opposing Characters in Of Mice and Men

Figure 1.

Directed by Lewis Milestone, Of Mice and Men (Milestone, 1939) is the first screen adaptation given to the Steinbeck play-novella of the same name. The story revolves around the curious companionship formed by migrant field workers Lennie Small and George Milton. Though complimentary to an extent, the two characters constitute polar opposite of each other in more than one way, which the following table will attempt to break down:

	Lennie	George
Personal History	Simple-minded and defenseless, Lenny is portrayed as a character who seems to not have grown mentally since childhood. He finds great pleasure in simple things, particularly sensorial experiences. In one of the first sequences, it is mentioned the pair had to flee from their previous workplace because Lennie felt a woman’s dress, a gesture that resulted in an accusation of rape. This denotes the character’s continuous tendency to bring trouble onto himself. 1 Dimensional Static	Later in the film, it is revealed Lennie and George have known each other for a long time. When they were younger however, George used to take advantage of Lennie’s naivety for his own amusement. One time, one of his jokes went too far and he realised how wrong it was to prey on the weak. Since then, George grew to accept Lennie as a life companion. 2 Dimensional Capable of change
Wants Goals	Lennie and George both aspire to own a small farm where life would be peaceful, though the former is more concerned with a direct aspect of this dream: to be allowed to tend the rabbits he hopes to have and – in keeping with his obsession for soft things – pet.	George dreams of earning enough money to buy his own piece of land and provide Lennie with a safe haven from the world. But as this ideal vision seems impossible to him at first, he also occasionally longs for a more stable life without Lennie.
Needs	Lennie’s needs reside in having someone to look after him, understand him and help him fit into the Californian rural society.	What George truly needs is an antidote to the loneliness that characterizes the lifestyle of migrant workers. In his relationship with Lennie, he is able to find a sense of companionship, protection and responsibility, which gives his life an aim and elevates him from the “other guys”.
External vs Internal Traits	Out: Of imposing stature, incredible strong. In: Child-like, animal-like, inherently innocent, careless, docile, devoted, in need of care.	Outs: Punier than his comrade. Ins: In charge, level-headed, resourceful, impatient but caring.
Flaws	Lenny's impulsiveness and violent outbursts bound him to a tragic fate, even though he doesn’t mean to cause harm. He is trapped in a body that doesn't fit his mind.	George’s idealism renders him a tragic character.
Overall Story Arc	Unfitted to the company of men, his innocence combined with the uncontrollability of his strength predicates him to destruction, as well as his own downfall.	The film follows George towards the realisation that the world has no mercy for the weak, as shown through the death of Lenny and Candy’s old dog. The story also underpins his banishment from the fraternal paradise Lennie and him dreamed of, condemning him to an aimless and lonely life like the rest of the itinerant workers. "The best laid schemes of mice and men Often go askew, And leave us nothing but grief and pain"
Conflict	Man vs Society Man vs Man	Man vs Society Man vs Self (Conflict in shooting his 'brother')
Value Change in a scene	Epilogue (see figure 2.): Distressed because he got in trouble and worried he won't be allowed to tend the rabbits // Hopeful, believing in his dream again	Epilogue: Selfless in wanting to spare his friend from a merciless death // Grieving and lonely, losing his dream

Figure 2.

Illustrations.

Figure 1. Barn Still. (1961) From: Of Mice and Men. Directed by: Milestone, L. [Film still] United States: Hal Roach Studios. At: http://www.corinthfilms.com/ofmice.html (Accessed on 29/10/15).

Figure 2. Epilogue Still. (1961) From: Of Mice and Men. Directed by: Milestone, L. [Film still] United States: Hal Roach Studios. At: http://minicine.org.uk/2012/11/28/screen-easy-sunday-2nd-december-change-of-plan/ (Accessed on 29/10/15).