You guys think Bender was really scared of Vernon? - The Breakfast Club (1985) Discussion

[–] MisterBabadook 9 years ago

Yeah, because deep down the bad ass act was just that, an act. Even after Vernon left the room he had this rattled look on his face like he had finally been outted for being a coward. Just look at the scene where Andy challenges him to a fight and Bender wusses out and gives that whole bullsh!t about worrying about his parents suing him.

A true bad ass rebel type would have no problem fighting someone, they wouldn't wuss out and make an excuse not to fight. So i have no doubt in my mind Bender was scared of Vernon.

Thats what i love about these high school girls, i get older they stay the same age.

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[–] audierules 9 years ago

I don't think so I think he would've killed Andy

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[–] MisterBabadook 9 years ago

Nah Bender was just chickening out, its hard for me to believe he'd have stabbed and killed Andy considering how nice Bender starts treating them near the end. Bender doesn't have it in him to kill someone, he's a nice guy deep inside.

Thats what i love about these high school girls, i get older they stay the same age.

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[–] Catnip86 9 years ago

Bender lost the "fight" with Andy in less than 2 seconds.

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[–] robocop-37224 9 years ago

It's amazing how tough someone becomes when they produce a knife!F ucking pussy if you ask me.

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[–] adresher-1 9 years ago

Bender was HORRIFIED of Vernon. What Vernon said was 100% correct. Had Vernon beaten him up all Vernon had to say was Bender attacked him first and everyone would have believed him. Back in the 80s parents always believed the school. There were no cameras, no cell phones, etc. so although Vernon was threatening him all day, it would not have mattered since there was no video evidence and Bender also had a switchblade on him which all the kids saw. The cops and parents would have taken one look at Bender and believed Vernon.

When I was in middle school and high school in the 80s and early 90s, if the school ever called my home I knew I was screwed even if I was in the right and did nothing wrong. My parents always believed teachers and the school over me. Yes, I was usually in the wrong, but a couple times I did nothing wrong and was guilty by suspicion. Pretty much the exact opposite of today, parents today think their kids can do no wrong and every disciplinary action is fought.

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[–] BubbleBobbleTaito 8 years ago

I know right! Teachers didn't need any evidence and no fair trials either. The only option was to keep your mouth and accept. Anything to avoid school calling your parents.

I couldnt predict future technology but back then i really fantasied for small gadgets who could record audio and video. Now kids have even more with streaming capabilities.

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[–] legnadibrom (6520) 8 years ago

you sound like you were a real piece of shit

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[–] AllEighties 9 years ago

nah I think he was scared for sure

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[–] priscilla52782 9 years ago

For sure and this scene is hard to watch. We learn benders father is abusive. I'm sure in that moment he got a flashback.

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[–] jairuswtsn 9 years ago

That's a good point.
While listening to Vernon he was actually seeing his father. He could no more take a swing at his father than he could Vernon.

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[–] funomatic 9 years ago

Maybe he really was and didn't want to show it.

"Freedom is fought, not earned"

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[–] Blizzard_Beasts 9 years ago

Bender might have just been shocked that Vernon was egging him on like that. There's serious consequences for beating up the principal. No one's just gonna laugh that off. So yes it is possible that Bender was scared, but I just think that Bender wasn't THAT dumb to beat up a school principal.

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[–] whjones79-1 8 years ago

"For sure and this scene is hard to watch. We learn benders father is abusive. I'm sure in that moment he got a flashback."

You are correct here.

I also think he saw a little of his father while he was getting grilled. It broke him down. Pretty much through the rest of the movie.

K/H D

America is FINALLY getting a REAL President!
GOODBYE O'CommieCare in 17 days!!!

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[–] ejioforobi 9 years ago

Yes he was scared.

Bender is the classic wannabe rebel who thinsk that he is something special.

Vernon's confrontation with him was cruel but needed.

If Bender is msart he would learn from it if not he ends up as Vernon believes he will end up.

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[–] MichaelMovieLoft 9 years ago

He was scared and the "tough guy" thing was an act. Keep in mind, he gets abused at home, so when Vernon turned it on, it probably reminded him of his father and he was scared. Also, he wimped out on when Andrew had him in a wrestling hold. Most tough guys I knew in school would pretend to be tough to hide their insecurities, shortcomings and problems.

MM

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[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AdrianLePier 8 years ago

Maybe, maybe not. I think he was more taken back that Vernon was going *that* far with him.

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[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] omoxus 8 years ago

He wasn't a tough guy. Just a abused teen. He probably was the all around smartest person in the group. Definitely the most wise.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus The Omoxus and the Omega

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[–] antonasmodeus 8 years ago

Maybe Vernon wouldn't have been such a hardass if Bender would have brought him a turkey pot-pie.

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[–] [email protected] (6247) 8 years ago

Definitely the most "street wise'. He was a survivor. I do think he affected a real "tough guy", criminal image as a defense mechanism.

And he was an abused child, obviously both physically and mentally. It didn't seem either parent cared about him. He was the only one not to bring a lunch to detention. Didn't his parents care if he ate?

Vernon was angry and frustrated, I get that. But he was so wrong to threaten a student he was responsible for with physical violence. Bender's life was crappy enough. He didn't need the principal threatening him too.

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