The Robe Runner: A Defector's Tale
Imagine a scene: Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Pat Calhoun, in the film One Battle After Another, is described as a stone. It's an intriguing comparison, especially when you consider the context. Pat, a member of the left-wing revolutionary group French 75, is initially seen in motion, chasing after his fellow members. But as the scene unfolds, it becomes clear that Pat's energy is nervous and anxious, not the confident stride of a revolutionary. His girlfriend, Perfidia, is the real force behind the group, while Pat is more of a stone, stuck in place, unable to move forward.
This dichotomy is further emphasized by the iconic robe he wears. Costume designer Colleen Atwood explains that the robe is an old, cheap dad robe, aged to look vintage. It's a comfortable, cozy garment, but it also symbolizes Pat's paralysis and inability to move on from the past. The robe, with its flowing belt and plaid pattern, becomes a physical manifestation of Pat's internal struggle.
As the story progresses, Pat's robe becomes a signature part of his character. It's a '90s-era garment, a nod to the era in which the film is set. But it also represents a larger disorientation within the film. The source novel, Thomas Pynchon's Vineland, toggles between the 1960s and 1980s, and Pat's robe becomes a symbol of his own time-lost state.
The robe's significance is further highlighted by its contrast with Pat's daughter, Willa. Willa, a rebellious teenager, channels 1980s Madonna with her diaphanous skirt and leather jacket. The film introduces her through Steely Dan's 1972 hit 'Dirty Work,' a song that foreshadows Willa's rebellious nature. Pat, on the other hand, is a slacker slash revolutionary, a family man with a girlfriend who is anything but.
As the film progresses, Pat's robe becomes a source of comfort and a reminder of his past. But it also becomes a symbol of his growth and transformation. At the end of the film, Pat has abandoned the robe, no longer needing it to define himself. He has moved on from his past, and he is now an adult, knowing who he is.
The robe, in the end, becomes a powerful symbol of Pat's journey from a nervous, anxious stone to a confident, grown-up man. It's a garment that evolves with the character, reflecting his internal struggles and eventual transformation.
