Applying Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium to the opening sequence of Bubble Boy

1. Who are the agents: the protagonist (the main hero who propels the narrative forward) and antagonist (opposing agent).The protagonist is Jimmy Livingston who is the bubble boy who has no immunities so he has to live in a bubble to protect him from germs. He voiceovers the first few minutes of the opening sequence to tell us his story- he is obviously the main character.
The antagonist is Jimmy’s mum who stops him from leaving home and is against him making friends or having a life outside his home. In the opening sequence she also bursts the ball that the children in the neighbourhood are playing with.
2. Describe the Equilibrium. How is it represented? What kind of camera shots can you identify? (e.g establishing shots to create a sense of space or use of CUs/cutaways to emphasise particular objects/characters faces). Pick out 2 or 3 examples. Describe the mise-en-scene: what meanings to the props/costumes/lighting/framing carry?The first shot is a clear blue sky, white clouds moving slowly - it looks very calm, peaceful and untroubled for a couple of seconds.
The shot of the baby (representing innocence) in the white room looks very pure and clean. Jimmy’s voiceover and actions as he grows up are also very innocent as he is just doing what his mother tells him to do.
Establishing/ LS as jimmy is brought home shows a sunny neighbourhood with children playing. Also a MCU cutaway of Jimmy’s face smiling in awe reinforces the equilibrium of the opening as he is happy.
Jimmy’s voiceover is very positive all the way through - even when his mother isn’t.
3. Is the Disruption or Disequilibrium introduced or hinted at? (e.g the serial killer in "Seven" is introduced in the title sequence).
The mother is presented as a controlling woman who enforces her own extreme views on both her husband and Jimmy. As soon as they bring Jimmy home for the first time she says ‘You’ll never have to go out there again’ and she puts the idea of the world being a horrible place in his head. This will be a problem as later on in the opening sequence he meets Chloe.
4. Are there any visual/verbal/aural clues that hint at what the hero's journey might be? (E.g. having to solve the murders within a time-limit of seven days in "Seven")The first shot he falls from the sky - this hints that he will escape from his home in the world - probably without his mother’s approval. He also wants to do everything that ‘normal’ children get to do as he tries to ride a bike in his room with his father’s help and mother’s disapproval; this also suggests he may escape.
5. From your knowledge of the film, how will the equilibrium be restored and what will be the new equilibrium?
Restoring equilibrium: Jimmy will escape and meet lots of people that will help him get to Niagara Falls where Chloe is supposed to get married except she won’t when she sees him. His parents follow him there. He takes off his bubble suit as he talks to her, he collapses and presumably dies. Jimmy's father then forces Jimmy's mother to confess that Jimmy had developed a fully functional immune system when he was four years old, and Jimmy realizes that he is not dead at all. It is revealed that Mrs. Livingston had hidden this fact from Jimmy to protect him from the world. Jimmy forgives her and leaves the church with Chloe.
New equilibrium: Later, Jimmy and Chloe are married with all of their new friends in attendance.