From cinema’s earliest years, shoes have been often used symbolically.
Aliya chooses a few of her favourite footwear moments…
How often do you look at someones shoes?
Going places
Nothing makes a character look more awesome than a great pair of shoes.
Take the opening sequence ofSaturday Night Fever(1977).
We instantly recognise him hes just like us.
Its a perfect movie beginning.
He was a go-getter, but now hes just a pair of red laces in the dust.
More Robert Redford, this time inThe Way We Were(1973).
They share a quiet moment at a bar.
He notices her loose shoelace, and ties it for her, then says, Go get em Katie.
He wants her to go out and excel in the world.
Its a great observational character moment, which director Sydney Pollack always did so well.
There are lots of very different examples of the dynamism of a man in interesting shoes.
Hes developed a prototype sneaker that shows his dynamic entrepreneurial skills.
Sometimes you could be so adventurous that your shoes fall off or wear out along the way.
Jason is a genuine hero the Gods instrument of salvation, and also of doom.
Which he does, without fuss.
Once youve run out of your footwear of choice, whats the point?
The shoes represent the journey; once the shoes have holes, the journey is over.
But it was super-stylish while it lasted.
Changing roles
Nothing says a character is in flux so much as a new pair of shoes.
Lets start with some red ones.
Victoria Page (Moira Shearer) knows shes made it when shes given the lead role in the ballet.
But the shoes that initially symbolise joy and success become a burden that she can never escape.
Theres no film quite as beautiful and allegorical as Powell and PressburgersThe Red Shoes(1948).
Thats one expensive and culturally significant present.
Ruby slippers and glass slippers have a lot in common.
Cinderella is transformed into a princess by a wave of a magic wand and the appearance of fancy footwear.
If you want to watch it, you have over 90 different versions to choose from.
But after psychiatrist Claude Rains has given her self-confidence we meet her again.
Its interesting that when men undergo physical transformations in the movies, the focus is rarely on the shoes.
Usually we get shown their hands first (see any version ofDoctor Jekyll And Mister Hyde).
This transformation can be more subtle.
He has no patience with her smart city shoes so he chops off the heels with his machete.
Two hacks later, and they are practical slip-ons instead.
The shoe-chopping tells us theres no messing around.
Joans going to have to adapt to this jungle or die.
Its a good thing shes a quick learner with intense sexual chemistry to keep Jack interested.
Strength of character
For women, how you choose to wear your high heels says a lot about you.
Her wedding shoes are beautiful, towering high heels, but Bella never feels comfortable in them.
In the end she asserts her personality and wears trainers instead.
After all, its her personal choice to marry into the undead.
Feisty Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) makes a different choice inRaiders Of The Lost Ark(1981).
When Belloq betrays her, she is pushed into the Well of Souls with Indy.
She loses a shoe and we are shown a shot of a snake slithering through the open toe.
Beware of slimy bad guys with pretty shoes it never works out for the best.
Michelle Pfeiffer was never better than inThe Fabulous Baker Boys(1989).
These are the wrong f***ing size!
she screams, summing up everything thats wrong with the box theyre trying to put her in.
Rosa Klebb, played with plenty of venom by Lotte Lenya now theres a strong-minded woman.
Does the same apply to male characters?
The only one I can think of is Pee Wee Herman.
What does it mean with a character has no shoes at all?
For Quentin Tarantino, bare feet are the ultimate in sexiness, particularly if Uma Thurman is involved.
Wiggle your big toe, she tells herself.
And, eventually, she does.
Leaving behind your shoes can also give you freedom.
This frees you from your responsibilities to the outside world.
Does Spectre represent death, or maybe happiness?
The giving up of your shoes becomes hugely meaningful.
Eventually, to save his marriage, Paul capitulates.
She persuades him to put his shoes back on and come home quietly for the sake of his health.
It seems life cant be all barefoot freedom and happiness.
We have to put on our sensible shoes every now and again.
To finish, Ill mention maybe the first film ever made about shoes.
And a great pair of shoes onscreen ever now and again doesnt hurt either, does it?
