Both songs share common lyrics that underscore the ever-relevant need for human connection and companionship.
These attributes put her at odds with her colleagues.
In their solitary life journeys, they desire each other from afar.
Image by Nimesh Niyomal
James Gray’s drama allowed Phoenix to step away from the expected intensity that comes with his roles.
We can see ourselves in Endre and Maria.
His advanced age compared to Maria has taught him vital lessons about survival, which include protecting his heart.
Image via Netflix
This is a risk for him.
She, too, is taking a risk as she is uncertain how this new adventure will turn out.
Like Endre, she develops her own inadvertent defenses.
We can relate to this unfolding and how we often apply defenses in our lives to mask our vulnerabilities.
It reflects our worldly escapism where our fears rarely have a place.
Endre has a self-imposed limitation exacerbated by his physical disability, which has led to his quiet resignation.
Image via Netflix
His emotional state is akin to the trapped cattle awaiting their fate in the surrounding abattoir.
Maria’s obsessive-compulsive tendencies also inadvertently create a cage in her life that prevents her from connecting with others.
There’s no fear of judgment or rejection.
Maria, for instance, begins testing the limits of her boundaries.
She steps out of her cage to soak in experiences she had never tried before.
