MovieChat Forums > The Falcon and the Snowman (1985) Discussion > Right outrage, wrong response

Right outrage, wrong response

posted 19 years ago by FlyByNight32
9 replies | jump to latest

I can relate to Boyce's outrage at learning of US string-pulling among those we call our allies. I'm not sure what he might have thought selling US secrets to the Soviets would do that would help in any way, though.

This is supposed to take place in the early 1970s, not too long after The Pentagon Papers and Watergate. Idealistic short-sightedness is one thing, but even so, it shouldn't be too tough to see that the best way to change the situation would be to pass on documents - but to the press, not the Soviets.

All those printouts he got & shredded could easily have made their way to the press. Or, if he was concerned about getting busted, he could do a Deep Throat, gather info and try pointing reporters in the right direction.

I never really saw any compelling reason for him to go the route that he did.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] shooter_im469 18 years ago

"I never really saw any compelling reason for him to go the route that he did."

Because he's Sean Penn.* Didn't you get the memo? ;-)

* aka "Human Shield Man"
(http://www.flashbunny.org/content/humanshieldman.html)

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] shooter_im469 18 years ago

Yes, but like 20 years ago (probably literally).

[–] The_Ironsmith 18 years ago

Much of his ill judgement can probably be attributed to his age at the time. In fact, watching the film, one of the first things that struck me was how any intelligence agency could possibly allow someone this young to handle classified information.

[–] Rocketer 18 years ago

I joined the Navy when I was 17 years old. When I look at 17 year olds today I marvel that my Uncle Sam put a loaded .45 in my hands at that age.

Before my 18th birthday I was a Radioman Apprentice with a Top Secret Crypto SIOP-ESI security clearance. Of course while I was dutifully following all security procedures the Walker family of spies was selling them out the back door to the Soviets.

If your favorite movie was made during your lifetime you haven't seen enough movies.

[–] djsnafu23 16 years ago

One of the many strengths of this film is how reasonable his outrage at US policies is, his actions all seem explainable and to some justifiable...til you see what the russians are like. He should have given the secrets to all the wee countries, but that's another strength of the film, it's just gray shades, no heroics, no moustachiod villains. Terrific.

myspace.com/bankrupteuropeans

Coz lifes too short to listen to Madlib

[–] nutsberryfarm 12 years ago

yes, good point.

Hey, sprechen sie talk?

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6545) 3 years ago

I agree that the route he took was unwise, but in the film they did discuss going to the papers and decided against it. The press had got hold of what the CIA had done to Allende in Chile, but nobody believed the reports. So going to the press also seemed useless.