There is a strange satisfaction in watching two star-crossed people working towards a shared goal. And when one of those people is meant to guide the other, the dynamic gets even more interesting. This keeps the “reluctant mentor” character trope fresh through the ages.The idea behind a mentor who is less than willing to offer mentorship is simple: emotional payoff that emerges from friction. The mentor, aside from the obvious knowledge he holds, is more or less as imperfect as his mentee. Their union is seldom proud or enthusiastic. The foundation on which they come together is usually guilt, duty, accident, or timing. The lack of organic willingness is what creates breathing space for the narrative.Their imperfections, especially the mentor’s imperfections and flaws, keep the stakes (and resultantly, the audience’s curiosity) high. This dynamic is such that it forces, not only the student, but also the teacher to grow.And that same dynamic is what keeps writers coming back to this narrative trope, because it’s simple, and effective, it works, it entertains, and it rarely feels old.The Trope’s Historical RootsEarly Cinema’s First Reluctant GuidesDuring the early Hollywood period, the character trope of a reluctant mentor wasn’t as evolved and defined as it is today. However, one could interpret the characters of the gruff, world-weary gangsters in noir films, or older, seasoned gunslingers in Westerns, as having similar hallmarks. They often avoided leadership until the situation forced them into it.Aside from these crime and action films, some dramas were most likely to...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday