Honestly, that's how males react sometime. Whenever our memory confronts us with a past mistake that we consider to be a big one, we tend to want to scream at the top of our lungs. It can be past mistakes at work, school, relationships, etc. I talk to other guys and they feel the same way. Remember the end of the original Planet of the Apes when Taylor is screaming "Damn you all too Hell!"? Although Taylor had a good reason to lose his top, that's basically the same sentiment. A guy will have a gut feeling that says, "Dont do this!" but he'll do it anyway and then later realize he made a huge mistake and curse him and everything beyond his control to Hell.
That's how Taylor felt at the end of Apes. The same with Ned: he realized he shouldn'thave dumped Shirley. It's probable when he dumped her he had a nagging feeling he shouldn't have done it; that's why he called her at her hotel to apologize while she was in bed with the groovy bellhop. He said it tore him apart to see Shirley cry, and he truly loved her. But, despite nagging feelings against it, he ended their affair, perhaps believing it would be best for him and his family. But Shirley probably loved him more than his family. After around two years of not seeing him she still had strong feelings for him.
I understand why you see that part as over the top. I'm not critizing it; just explaining why a guy would react like that. I like this movie because I find it refreshingly realistic alongside a dated cheesiness.
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