MovieChat Forums > Koneko monogatari (1989) Discussion > Anybody else think Milo was a jerk to Ot...

Anybody else think Milo was a jerk to Otis?

posted 9 years ago by ExplorerDS6789
1 reply | jump to latest

I'm of course talking about the scene that follows Otis rescuing Milo from the pit, in which they come across Joyce, and Milo is instantly smitten. He takes to ignoring Otis so much that the dog decides to separate and go over the mountains by himself, and then as he runs off, Milo just sits there and watches his best friend go out of his life again. He doesn't go after him, doesn't say, "wait, Otis, don't go. You're my best friend." Nope, instead I guess he wanted some alone time with his new pussy.

Before I continue, I must state that I am partial to dogs. Otis was my favorite character, he made me want to get a pug, and I've had them ever since, and I know both characters' personalities: Milo is the rambunctious, impulsive and curious one, while Otis is the calm, level-headed one, and the two only really had each other to rely on. So naturally they have a very strong bond, and Otis goes to absurd lengths to find his friend who gets lost. Sure, Milo is grateful for Otis saving him and the two run around and play and they're happy to be together again, and it lasts a good five minutes before a girl comes between them. Sure, to Milo, Joyce was a babe, and it was a blessing in disguise for Otis to go off on his own, because he wouldn't have met Sondra otherwise.
Look, the point I'm making here is that I think after they'd been apart for so long, always thinking about each other and wanting to find each other, when Milo and Otis finally reunite, Milo just casts his friend aside, forgetting all the effort he went through to find him. I mean, that's gratitude for you. In fact, when they separate, I think that's one of the saddest moments of the film. That violin music playing in the background as Otis runs off into the distance, and Milo and Joyce just watch him go. That was sad.

So, does anybody else think Milo was a jerk to Otis? Not just then, but even when they were egg-sitting for Gloria. Otis was trying to do the job and Milo kept screwing around and causing trouble.

[–] evildead2099 8 years ago

I was actually just thinking about this, but from what I remember about the movie, it was Otis the dog who abandoned Milo the cat shortly after rescuing him. Maybe I have that part backward, but in any case, I'm always filled with a deep sense of sadness when I think about this film.

I think the reason why I feel this way is because pivotal scene in question makes me think of a strong, long-term friendship that is suddenly torn asunder as soon as one of the friends spots an attractive female who is but a stranger to him. The fact that this happens almost immediately after the friends become reunited makes the abandonment all the more profound.

Having seen this film as a child, I know think back to this part of the film in mind and when I'm not overcome with sadness, I think of the mantra "bros before hoes."