10 Outstanding Adopted Movie Families

7. The Dark Knight Rises

7_dark knight rises

The Dark Knight Rises is the culmination of Christopher Nolan€™s Batman trilogy, not just in terms of Bruce Wayne€™s professional and emotional journey, but also in terms of the results of all the actions he took to get there. Throughout the movies, Bruce gradually builds up a network of associates that form into a family€”Alfred, Rachel, Lucius, Gordon, Selina, Blake, and even the l Ghuls. In spite of Bruce holding onto his feelings of loss, he creates a family in the process (even if they don€™t all even know each other), and Bruce realizes this by the end of The Dark Knight Rises.

These individuals are certainly connected through life-and-death decisions, but they are indeed a family. Some are there in good times and in bad, even when it is of no benefit to them, while others are forever embittered, alienated by Bruce€™s actions, yet can€™t leave him behind. Every bond Bruce makes with each of them is forever meaningful. This is why The Dark Knight Rises works for me, because if the connections were at a simpler level, the movie wouldn€™t have the emotional weight it needs€”or the basic conflict for that matter, since it is about the resolution of Bruce€™s journey. It also is a great thing to use in a Batman movie, because even though Bruce has been holding onto his anger and loss to do what he does, he has found connections to people by piecing new relationships together, and needs them emotionally just as much as he does professionally. As Bruce mourns the destruction of his family, family finds him again. I find it very moving.
Contributor
Contributor

Ian Boucher is many things when he is not writing for WhatCulture.com -- explorer, friend of nature, and librarian. He enjoys stories of many kinds and is fascinated with what different mediums can bring to them. He has developed particular affections for movies and comic books, especially the ones that need more attention, taking them absolutely seriously with a sense of humor. He constantly strives to build his understanding of the relationships between world cultures, messages, and audiences.