Multi-Generational Circle Game (Third-Person Omniscient)

Marty is pretty straight-forward, dealing with two major story lines: the romance between Marty and Clara and the transition of Marty's Aunt Catherine out of her family home and into Marty's.

But the filmmakers aren't afraid to give us the dirt on everyone involved, so we're there to see Angie as he searches high and low for Marty (who's off with Clara) and to see Tommy and Virginia face off about Tommy's mom in a cramped room filled with a baby's cries.

Because of this, we get a real chance at feeling for everyone, even gray-faced, complaining Aunt Catherine and aimless, goofy Angie. The kids, the parents, and the grandparents: Everyone's just doing their best.

While Marty is our hero, everyone deserves a little empathy and care. (We think Marty would agree.)

Carousel of Time

A lot of this story is about pattern: A boy growing into a man, starting a career, and starting a family; a girl growing into a woman, marrying, having children, and growing old. It's a constant cycle that all of us are part of in some way or another.

Marty's dad dies; it's up to him to support the family. Tommy has a kid; it's time for his mother to move out.

For Marty, we get the drift that rejection, and chances left behind, are common. His own poor self-image and family pressures have caused him to withdraw over and over. This movie is the story of when something different finally happens.