MovieChat Forums > Brubaker (1980) Discussion > Brubaker trying to outbid Bullen

Brubaker trying to outbid Bullen

posted 6 years ago by Roabe (9)
2 replies | jump to latest

Near the beginning of the film when Brubaker was still disguised as an inmate, Bullen is at the mess counter trying to buy a half-eaten cut of meat for lunch. Brubaker suddenly cuts in and offers more for it. Bullen outbids him again, winning the piece of meat, then gets angry at Brubaker for costing him money was needed elsewhere.

This part always bothered me and seemed a little out of character for Brubaker. Why would he do something that might create bad blood between him and another inmate, especially when he's supposed to be there to lay low and observe the conditions of the place? He's lucky that Bullen happened to be a good hearted man and not a murderer.

[–] Interlepos (1818) 6 years ago

I agree that it was a bit out of character, but reading what you wrote now, makes me assume the filmmakers wanted to establish a relationship/rapport between Brubaker and Bullen, laying the groundwork for a what was to come later in the story.

[–] Wuchak (8855) 2 years ago

He's lucky that Bullen happened to be a good hearted man and not a murderer.

Brubaker was working undercover at the time, getting a feel for the place & its people. As such, it was a small test to discern Bullen's character as Brubaker needed a team of worthy people to make positive changes from within, once he took the reins as warden.