MovieChat Forums > Body Heat (1981) Discussion > The ducks. What is the significance?

The ducks. What is the significance?

posted 8 years ago by panson1
2 replies | jump to latest

When Oscar and Lowenstein visit Ned to discuss the will and Matty, Oscar puts a couple ducks in a bowl, that vibrates and they circle. Anyone understand the why of this?

[–] pullman1881 8 years ago

I don't know if there is any real significance. Maybe Ned was playing with a toy to appear calm and nonchalant. Or to give himself a chance to think for a moment before talking to Oscar and Lowenstein.

[–] CharlotteXavier (2357) 4 years ago

Symbolism; like the clown, the jail cell door clanging shut early on, the chess board floor in his office.. they all foreshadow his roll as: a sitting duck, a clown, his being played, and his future as a convict.