Film Theory: Finding Nemo Doesn't Have A Happy Ending...

Anger is seen only in a small capacity, outlined in Marlin’s rage and subsequent argument with his son over him ‘touching the butt.’ In this scenario, Marlin is faced with the same open water he was originally so excited about moving next to with Coral, but now represents the deadly threats of the ocean that can come at any time. It’s important that Nemo disappears from this place as it’s the same one that saw the death of Marlin’s entire family - this is his realisation that Nemo hasn’t been there all along as he vanishes from sight when revisiting the drop off.

Bargaining is arguably the largest form of the film, in which Marlin desperately attempts to bring his son back in any capacity possible. Employing the help of Dory is the ultimate sacrifice to his mental state, continuously faced with having to explain his situation to someone that then instantly forgets. It’s a futile attempt at convincing himself his son is real and attainable, a representation of losing a loved one and the fear that comes with it of ever forgetting them. Her short term memory is his worst fear: forgetting his son, wife, and other eggs existed at all.

Repeatedly whilst searching for Nemo, Marlin is told to forget about him, that he hasn’t been seen, and to move on: all advice (albeit very bad advice) from those attempting to work him through the insurmountable grief the fish is going through.