MovieChat Forums > Play Misty for Me (1971) Discussion > Why was Dave not forthcoming with the de...

Why was Dave not forthcoming with the detective? SPOILER ALERT

posted 8 years ago by laurieann74
4 replies | jump to latest

Don't read this, if you haven't seen the movie, but why on earth didn't Dave tell the detective that Evelyn had been harassing him? He almost acted like he didn't want her to get in trouble when she butchered that poor woman with a knife. I know they didn't really take stalking seriously back then, especially if it was a woman stalking a man, but he could of at least told the detective about her antics at the restaurant, or how she attempted suicide in his house after he told her he didn't love her. It was frustrating to watch his character act so strange towards the police. Also, WHY did he have sex with her again after her atrocious behavior? She was obviously a raging lunatic. I know it's just a movie, but those parts frustrated me.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

You aren't alone. I found much of what you say strange behavior too.
His flippant answers when the detective was questioning him were uncalled for after seeing what Evelyn was capable of. Stabbing the poor cleaning woman was serious business!
I suppose you could say that he was being weaselly and trying to protect his career and image by not being cooperative. I'm not sure...... maybe it was lousy script writing. LOL!
I do enjoy this movie. Great music, beautiful scenery, A fantastic performance from Jessica Walter.

[–] sleepingtiger (712) 7 years ago

It looked like to me that he just didn't want to admit that the woman scared the hell out of him, so he just put on this macho front and tried to act as if he could handle the situation himself, when it was clearly out of his control. That's all that was about. He thought he'd look weak if he admitted he needed help, that's all---his arrogant male ego wouldn't let him admit that.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

That certainly makes sense. Being a woman, I naturally don't get it. LOL!

[–] strntz (12230) 6 years ago

He didn't mention the attempted suicide in his house because he would have been in trouble for not reporting it, and his doctor friend would have been in even bigger trouble for the same reason.

That makes sense. What doesn't is why he didn't call 911 or the police directly when he discovered her cut. I can't see any good reason to have a friend patch her up. It's not like he was married and wanted to hide this loon from his wife.