The Photograph and the Unreachable Child

Cry Macho

This thread follows the photographs of Laurie and Rafo as objects that preserve a face while underscoring how little an image can reveal about a living relationship.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Lost Image in Mike’s Home A Lost Image in Mike’s Home from "Cry Macho". A Lost Image in Mike’s Home A blank rectangle The photograph of Laurie that once hung in Mike’s apartment is gone, leaving a lighter patch on the wall.

A Lost Image in Mike’s Home from "Cry Macho". A Lost Image in Mike’s Home A blank rectangle The photograph of Laurie that once hung in Mike’s apartment is gone, leaving a lighter patch on the wall.

A Lost Image in Mike’s Home A blank rectangle The photograph of Laurie that once hung in Mike’s apartment is gone, leaving a lighter patch on the wall. Memory avoided The empty space marks a loss Mike has not been able to look at directly.

Donna’s Found Photograph Donna’s Found Photograph from "Cry Macho". Donna’s Found Photograph A recovered likeness Donna discovers a photograph of Laurie in an undeveloped camera roll.

Donna’s Found Photograph from "Cry Macho". Donna’s Found Photograph A recovered likeness Donna discovers a photograph of Laurie in an undeveloped camera roll.

Donna’s Found Photograph A recovered likeness Donna discovers a photograph of Laurie in an undeveloped camera roll. Recognition fails Mike sees the child but feels that the image makes Laurie seem like a stranger.

Howard’s Snapshot Howard’s Snapshot from "Cry Macho". Howard’s Snapshot A father’s evidence Howard shows Mike a childhood photograph of Rafo and asks him to bring the boy north.

Howard’s Snapshot from "Cry Macho". Howard’s Snapshot A father’s evidence Howard shows Mike a childhood photograph of Rafo and asks him to bring the boy north.

Howard’s Snapshot A father’s evidence Howard shows Mike a childhood photograph of Rafo and asks him to bring the boy north. Image versus reality The neat portrait gives no hint of the streetwise child Mike will find.

Rafo Sees Himself Rafo Sees Himself from "Cry Macho". Rafo Sees Himself A face recognized Mike shows Rafo the old snapshot, and the boy tentatively recognizes himself as a child in Texas.

Rafo Sees Himself from "Cry Macho". Rafo Sees Himself A face recognized Mike shows Rafo the old snapshot, and the boy tentatively recognizes himself as a child in Texas.

Rafo Sees Himself A face recognized Mike shows Rafo the old snapshot, and the boy tentatively recognizes himself as a child in Texas. A possibility opened The image helps make the father’s promised invitation seem momentarily believable.

Blood on the Photograph Blood on the Photograph from "Cry Macho". Blood on the Photograph An image nearly lost Mike’s papers fall from his coat, and blood covers the snapshot that began the journey.

Blood on the Photograph from "Cry Macho". Blood on the Photograph An image nearly lost Mike’s papers fall from his coat, and blood covers the snapshot that began the journey.

Blood on the Photograph An image nearly lost Mike’s papers fall from his coat, and blood covers the snapshot that began the journey. Attachment transformed He cleans the picture carefully, recognizing that he now values the person beyond the original assignment.

After Laurie’s death

During Mike’s final visit to Donna

The night Howard proposes the job

At the café after the cockfight

After Mike is shot in Texas