I just saw this movie, but one part (among others) was never clear to me.
The scene where Guy goes to Bruno's parents' house and encounters that huge dog. The dog was growling at him from the staircase landing as if he were going to attack at any time. But when Bruno approached the dog, the dog just sniffed and licked his hand as if he recognized him. I thought surely this was a clue to some sort of plot twist.
No, it wasn't.
shareJust an "ironic surprise."
shareBecause the audience EXPECTED the dog to attack Guy, it did the opposite!
"We're fighting for this woman's honor, which is more than she ever did."
Because if u know how to behave around a dog, u can control it. Didn't u notice how he let his hand hang and didn't stare at the dog? this shows the dog that the human is in control but also being friendly to the dog. I thought that one slow-mo shot of the dog licking his hand explained it clear enough.
shareThis movie is brilliant because it sets up so many expectations only to say "haha fooled you". The dog scene is a perfect example. Also there was the tense scene coming out of the tunnel of love where Miriam screams, but it turns out she's just screaming with laughter. And a great one is where Bruno drops the lighter by Miriam's body, the camera focuses on it (making us think "oh sh!t"), but then he picks it up.
I think these scenes serve to remind us of Hitchcock's playful approach to this whole film. It's what defines the whole vibe and separates this movie from the serious, melodramatic thrillers of the time. I consider this to be one of the earliest (and best) dark comedies in film.
This movie is brilliant because it sets up so many expectations only to say "haha fooled you". The dog scene is a perfect example. Also there was the tense scene coming out of the tunnel of love where Miriam screams, but it turns out she's just screaming with laughter. And a great one is where Bruno drops the lighter by Miriam's body, the camera focuses on it (making us think "oh sh!t"), but then he picks it up.
I agree with others that it was an "ironic surprise"; but unlike the dropped lighter or the tunnel of love (did they btw have such sordid places back then?), this one didn't work in my opinion. I used to have a Great Dane and no way would he let a total stranger walk in the house and go on up the stairs--not without an offering of a fresh steak at least!
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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc
I loved it because I thought it was realistic. Most people don't actually get attacked by dogs, they just run away because the dog barks and brings attention. I always think in movies that its ridiculous because not every dog is so aggressive that it would attack anyone who walked through the door
i started an "i hate cox" website.it was me,2 interns and 14,000 lesbians
T~O #1!!!
I found this movie very lacking. First, Bruno was so annoying that I had to go do some chores just to get away from him.
And why didn't Guy go see his lawyer for advice first thing after his wife was killed?
Why didn't Guy go see Bruno's father during the daytime?
Then, Ruth goes to see Bruno's mom? What?
Oh, and the "tail" on Guy? What's the point? They can't gain anything when Guy knows they are there the whole time. They are supposed to be watching him on the QT if they want to catch him at anything.
Now we come to the moron who instead of slowing the merry go round slowly he just puts it to a dead stop causing it to wreck. Actually, the best part of the movie IS the wreck of the merry go round. Awesome.
And why didn't Guy go see his lawyer for advice first thing after his wife was killed?
Why didn't Guy go see Bruno's father during the daytime?
Then, Ruth goes to see Bruno's mom? What?
Oh, and the "tail" on Guy? What's the point?
the moron who instead of slowing the merry go round slowly he just puts it to a dead stop
It's a diversionary tactic. The sudden appearance of dog takes our mind off Guy's mission to see Bruno's father. If that confrontation hadn't been there, we might figure out that Bruno would be inside the bedroom.
shareThe movie makes no sense. Bruno had the lighter when he dies, thereby implicating Guy anyway. At the very least he would be in trouble for aiding and abetting and his girlfriend, too, both for withholding evidence. Like this movie, but a lot of it makes no sense, especially the ending.
shareAlso Bruno's theory of complete strangers swapping murders is blown out of the water once Bruno meets and is seen talking to Guy at the outdoor gathering (I forget those circumstances). This is after Miriam's murder but before Guy says he'll take Bruno up on it but really goes to warn the father.
shareMy interpretation was that the dog sensed that he didn’t have any malicious intent, that is why he didn’t attack. It was supposed to be an early clue that he wasn’t there to commit murder.
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