the outsider

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2007)

While watching Footloose one can see the different stages throughout the movie that occur to fulfill the 'hero' complex of the movie. The main character, Ren, seems to keep to himself being a new student in school. However, once he begins to warm up to the new people and once they begin to warm up to him he makes many friends as well as enemies. Ren is first seen as an outsider, a person who will only cause harm and nothing good would come of being friends with him. Ren appears to be a strong individual which is seen in the beginning during his first day at the new school. Ren is approached by Willard, but Ren doesn't take any crap and throws it right back at Willard. From there on out the two become friends and help each other through some of their hardships.
Ren is seen as an outsider. In this small town outsiders are not taken lightly. Ren is only familiar with his old surroundings and the way he used to do things. Therefore, when he is told that he is not allowed to listen to music or dance out of his own taste he is very uneasy. This is where the hero circle begins with the 'call to adventure'. He doesn't want to give up something that makes him so happy and in his eyes is simple and innocent.
Aerial soon comes into Ren's life and helps to turn it upside down for a time period. Aerial is the daughter of the preacher of the town. She is also the sister of one of the boys who died in a car accident 7 years before. It is thought throughout the town that music was a factor in the death of those youngsters. The preacher himself stated that listening to music will only influence the youngsters to drink and drive and begin to explore sexuality. This is an assumption he takes on that not only influences the entire town but puts a damper on his home life. The preacher and his wife don't get along as they used to. The preacher and his daughter are torn apart due to their different beliefs and stubborn personalities. Aerial loves music and dancing and grows to care for Ren.
Ren realizes that he is not the only one who likes to dance and listen to music. Ren decides to show Aerial, Woody and Willard what they are missing. The four of them go to a dance club right outside of town. The four teenagers have a great time; they laugh and let loose and enjoy themselves. While Ren was beginning to be accepted by some there were still others who didn't want him around. One student tried to give him some drugs and while Ren was turning it down the coached walked in. Of course because Ren is the new student and looked down upon he got kicked off the gymnastics team. Of course the reasoning was because of low funding but everyone knew the real reason. This incident is the one that leads Ren down the road to a mission. He comes up with the great idea to hold a dance.
The idea of Ren having a dance quickly gets around town. The preacher is angry and swears he will not let this dance happen. The dance approval has to be run by the town during a town meeting. Aerial and Woody pass out flyers and gather people to attend this meeting on behalf of the students. While the girls are rallying the troops Ren is busy teaching Willard how to dance. The scenes are shown with the two laughing and enjoying themselves without any sexual attractions occurring. When it comes time for the town meeting Ren stands up and speaks his mind about the idea. The idea is even pushed my Aerial's mother, which goes to show the differences in the home. Ren's idea doesn't make it much farther than the town meeting. Then another aspect of the hero circle occurs. Ren's boss pushes him to follow through with his thought of a dance. He tells him where to have it and talks him into it. At this point in the movie the hero circle is almost complete. It ends with the 'sharing of the gift'. The gift was prom and the views to the town that they refused to see before.
In the beginning of the movie Ren is seen as nothing but bad comings, but by the end of the movie that all changes. Ren is soon accepted and able to do the things that he loves with people he likes and cares for. Ren is completes the hero circle through hardships with being accepted, accepting himself, and allowing others to see his points of view.