Determinism and "Sliding Doors"

Paper Summary:

Determinism is an integral theme in director Peter Howitt's movie, "Sliding Doors". This paper explains how, in the movie, a small, seemingly insignificant act makes profound changes in the life of the lead character, Helen. Nonetheless, as the movie progresses, it becomes clear that some fundamental aspects of Helen's life, which are told in parallel stories, remain the same, suggesting some role for determinism.

From the Paper:

"The movie, Sliding Doors, tackles the problem of determinism vs. free will head on. Sliding Doors examines two potential parallel life courses for a young British woman, Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow). Helen is fired from her PR job, and goes home in the middle of the day on an underground train. In one timeline, Helen catches the train, and finds her lover, Gerry (played by John Lynch) in bed with Lydia (Jeanne Tripplehorn). She leaves the apartment, goes to a pub, where she runs into James (John Hannah), a young man she had spoken to on the train on the way home. Helen makes some major changes in her life and career, and begins to fall in love with James."

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