5 secrets of a happy relationship from the Addams family

Artist Charles Addams designed his famous characters back in 1938. This unusual family, as if coming from horror stories on Halloween, very quickly conquered the audience: in a strange way, the heroes seemed both creepy and charming at the same time.

Over the years, the Addams family has firmly blended into world pop culture: TV shows, feature films and animation projects have been filmed about them. Different authors added their own vision, changed the images of the heroes. But one thing remained unchanged: The Addams always looked like the happiest and most friendly family imaginable.

If you look closely, they have a lot to learn from ordinary people in the real world. For example, take one of the most popular screen adaptations - the 1991 film "The Addams Family" directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

What is the film "The Addams Family"

Gomez and Morticia Addams live in a secluded castle with their children Wednesday and Pugsley, as well as their grandmother, butler Larch, and a living hand named Thing. They are happy, but the head of the family is oppressed by a long-standing tragedy: many years ago, he quarreled with his brother Fester, after which he disappeared without a trace in Bermuda Triangle.

Suddenly, after another spiritualistic seance, the missing relative returns. But in fact, this is not the real Fester, but the son of the cunning Abigail Craven, who thus decided to seize the wealth of the Addams family.

The fake brother is increasingly imbued with a sincere sympathy for the family, whose relationship does not at all resemble the cruel manipulations of his mother. The villains' plan is almost working. But by the end, it turns out that all this time Fester was real - he just lost his memory, falling into the Bermuda Triangle.

What can you learn from the main characters?

It would seem that the viewer is given a typical plot. black comedy. But the Addams family relationship in this picture is absolutely wonderful, and there are several important lessons to be learned from it.

1. Maintain passion and respect for each other

Gomez and Morticia Addams are the perfect example of a happy husband and wife, giving a hundred points ahead of any romantic comedy or melodrama. Everyone can envy their passion. And do not forget that this couple has been together since their youth, and at the time of the film's action they already have two growing children. But all the same, Gomez lights up from the French speech of his wife, and they are ready to dance a passionate tango in a restaurant like young lovers.

But the matter is not limited only to attraction. This couple also respects each other, and each of them becomes a support for a partner in a difficult moment. On the surface, Gomez is a typical patriarch of the family. He makes major decisions and manages finances, while the wife takes care of the children and tends to the flowers. But when it comes to personal issues, such as discussions about how to behave with Fester, the husband looks back at Morticia, and they make decisions together.

Moreover, when the villains drive the Addams out of the house, it is the wife who supports and consoles Gomez, who has almost dropped his hands.

2. Balance freedom and focus in parenting

Wednesday and Pugsley are no less interesting characters than their parents. Here, of course, we will make a reservation that their cruel fun should be taken solely as a metaphor and a joke: teenagers should not play with axes or an electric chair. Although, in the end, Wednesday never injured her brother.

What is really important is that children have a lot of creative freedom, which the older generation only supports. Preparing for the school talent competition, this couple, with the assistance of Fester, comes up with a really witty number, and does not trivially memorize a children's song. Yes, during the performance, they flood everyone with artificial blood, and most of the audience remains in shock. But in fact, the young hooligans did not harm anyone, but showed something really unusual. And the whole family approves of this idea.

At the same time, freedom does not translate into complete indifference of parents: Morticia and Gomez give advice to children if necessary. And when Wednesday begins to suspect Fester of deception, the parents listen carefully to their daughter, and not to outside adults.

3. Work through your worries, not manipulate others

Not the most noticeable, but important moment from the film. Soon after Fester's appearance, all sorts of inconsistencies begin to surface: he does not remember the secret password, which he repeated with his brother 10 times a day, confuses facts from childhood and behaves strangely. Gomez suspects that something is wrong with him.

To sort out his feelings, he turns to psychologist. And together with the specialist and his wife, he speaks out his concerns. At the same time, he continues to treat Fester with delicacy and makes every effort to return him to the bosom of the family.

A middle-aged man tries to sort out his feelings, and does not hide them or, conversely, dumps them on others. This is really exemplary.

An opposite example is Fester's relationship with his adoptive mother. She constantly manipulates her son: she shouts at him and even hits him. And each time he claims that he himself is to blame for everything, and this is how she shows her love and care.

4. Support your family

The Addams treat their loved ones with great love. For the holidays, a huge number of relatives gather in their castle, and everyone is clearly glad to see each other. There is a family cemetery next to their house, and even children know all their ancestors very well. And Gomez has been going through a youthful quarrel with his brother for years, blaming himself for his disappearance.

But more importantly, when the Addams are deprived of their wealth, their family grows even stronger. Literally everyone, even children, grandmother and Thing, are trying to somehow help others: get food or make money.

They traded in a luxurious castle for a cramped motel. But everyone is ready to sleep in an embrace, huddled together. Difficulties only temper and unite the heroes.

5. Remember that family is a separate world.

The example from the 1991 film is also important because in it the authors bypass one standard cliché of such plots: there is no confrontation between heroes and society. This, for example, was dedicated cartoon The Addams Family 2019: In it, characters are at war with the inhabitants of a neighboring city.

Sonnenfeld's painting tells only about the private life of the characters themselves and those who come to their house. This once again emphasizes that a happy family is a complete world with its own rules and rituals. The Addams don't care how others perceive them.

The heroes build their lives in a way that is pleasant and comfortable for them, without harming others (except perhaps a broken window at a neighbor's), but also not adjusting to any norms imposed by society.

It is worth emphasizing again: when watching The Addams Family, you should not take their actions as a guide to action. Sword fights and dangerous acrobatic stunts of Gomez and Wednesday's brutal experiments are just a joke. But the relationship of the characters and their communication with each other deserve attention. The screen family, for all their oddities, is completely happy.