Do You Want To Know A Secret?

Carol Reed’s cinematic development of “The Basement Room” (i.e. The Fallen Idol) captures well the themes and spirit of Greene’s work. From the opening scene to the final shot, The Fallen Idol leaves the viewer with the same thrill and awe that comes from reading the pages of Greene’s works. Carol Reed uses the cinematic quality of Greene’s writing simply but effectively. I could almost see Greene writing out the description of a scene or a shot as the film went on. Philippe, the protagonist and diplomat’s son, adores and idolizes (hence the title) his butler Baines. Reed illustrates a realistic relationship between the two figures. Baines makes up stories to entertain the young boy, unintentionally impressing him. However, the Greene-esque theme of loyalty and betrayal dominates the film when Baines becomes implicated in the death of his unloving (and unloved) wife. The reality and gravity of the situation drags the innocent Philippe down into the world of lies and truth, where he must decide whether or not to defend his idol despite his own suspicions.

Two polar, contrasting scenes highlight the struggle in which “Phile” fights. Thinking the fall of Mrs. Baines was murder, Phile runs away, but the police bring him back home. The Janus-faced Baines tries to comfort him in a loving, admirable way; however, he also tells Phile that they “got to be careful what [they] say to policemen.” Baines provides a false and dangerous importance to lying. The innocent Phile then sees life as a mission to “think of lies and tell them all the time. And then they won't find out the truth.” His innocence and admiration makes him do what his idol does, even if it is wrong and dishonest. This willingness to lie actually hurts Baines because Phile denies every true detail, even the helpful ones. A child is usually regarded as truthful, and thus the police believe every lie. Before Baines leaves for the police station, he realizes what he has done to Phile. He tries to comfort Phile: “The trouble is we’ve told a lot of lies.” Baines tears down the corrupted values he established. He instills now a respect for the truth in Phile, who now believes “we must never tell any more lies.” The two scenes show a battle being waged in a child’s impressionable mind by a respectable yet despicable man and the destruction it has caused.

Phile is Tired...

The themes of betrayal and loyalty, honesty and dishonesty, innocence and experience, and choice all play significant roles in the movie. Phile’s innocence is ravaged by the adult experience of his idol, Baines. With terrible knowledge and respect for him, Phile must decide not only what is right and what is wrong, but also whether he should do what is right. Even though Phile knows he must now tell the truth, the police and even people he trusts (e.g. Baine’s lover Julie) ignore his desperate attempts to tell the truth. It is a painful to watch Phile battle with right and wrong in the real world. This disregard for what is true, even though it is right, seems to confuse him even more. How will this adult disregard of righteousness and acceptance of dishonesty affect Phile’s moral development?