In the film The Pawnbroker, there are many interactions between different races. Through the pair’s dialogues, one can almost see each person’s inside by examining what he or she says and his or her expression while they are speaking.
Because the pawnbroker Sol Nazerman is the center of this film, other characters all interact with him one by one; thus that, following his encounter with his various customers, we can see his characteristics and those of other peoples. Sol’s dull and cool expression indicates his indifference toward the community. Sol is acting like a machine that performs only three fixed mechanical movements: receive the pawned object, make a record, and give out two dollars. In contrast, the customers facing him are alive who have different unpleasant stories but same reason to come to the pawn store. The first customer pawns his awarded oratory trophy which he claims is made of gold, but Sol insists that it only worth 1 dollars. Apparently, it is not a good deal and we can also see it from the man’s frowning face. Whereas, the man cannot refuse to pawn it because he need money desperately and apparently there is only one pawn store in this area.
Sol’s talks with his Hispanic assistant Jesus also show his disinterest and materialism because he emphasizes the importance of making money, even though he gains his money by taking away other people’s precious properties which they will probably not pawn unless in a critical situation. In contrast, Jesus’s talks with Sol demonstrate his passion for life and his American dream to become a rich person. As Jesus enters the scene for the first time, one can feel his positive attitude toward the life at once. He is curious about Sol’s success in business and keeps asking him for knowledge of business. He also sincerely and enthusiastically cares about Sol by repetitively asking Sol “are you OK?” However, he fails in touching Sol’s heart until finally Jesus sacrifices himself to rescue Sol.
Sol has economic advantage over his customers, but he is weakened when he is facing his black boss Rodriguez. Even though he is showing same coolness to his boss, his boss obviously does not accept his attitude, and Sol is in danger of losing everything. Rodriguez’s dialogue with Sol and his aggressive posture against Sol show Rodriguez’s greediness and power. When confronting the powerful evilness, Sol’s losing humanity seems to return. The sad faces of his previous customers flashback in his mind and he begins to aware his cruelty.
All in all, the character’s characteristics are all shown in his or her communications with others. And Sol’s character of unresponsiveness to his surrounding is finally rectified by his continuing interaction with different ethnic groups.
