Hornbeck was actually my favourite character of the film, but not because I necessarily agreed with everything he said. Hornbeck was constantly the source of humour against Brady and the more bigoted members of the town. He made light of the whole situation but was ultimately an ally to the real hero of the movie.
But then when Drummond ultimately turns on Hornbeck for his own lack of passion or belief, it's a brilliant scene. What really gets me is when Drummond starts his "you poor slob, you're all alone" monologue. The look in Hornbeck's eyes, even as he's turned away from Drummond, flicker with a sense of despair that Hornbeck tries to hide behind his facade of aloof cynicism. He's aware that he is alone, and what's more, he's lonely. When Drummond coldly remarks how no-one will give a damn, which implies himself as well, Hornbeck flinches, eyes blinking as though holding back tears that confirm his secret fear. And then when Drummond finishes and turns back to packing his things, Hornbeck tries to smirk his way out of the situation and say something witty. But he ultimately can't, and he says something that reveals much more of his own anxiety than he probably meant. Just listen to his voice and his attitude when he starts to speak his final line, and how he concludes that line. It's not a triumphant comeback. It's a sad admittance of defeat, which leaves Hornbeck to leave the film as a much more tragic figure than when he first appeared. For that final scene alone, Gene Kelly deserved an Oscar nomination.
I ended up feeling sorry for Hornbeck during this scene, because in that style made famous by Oscar Wilde, Hornbeck puts on a front to avoid his own insecurities and lack of conviction. Drummon and Brady believed in what they were doing and are thus made whole by their emotions and convictions, while Hornbeck is, to quote Drummond, just a ghost.
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