MovieChat Forums > Parenthood (1989) Discussion > Would Larry staying and working for his ...

Would Larry staying and working for his dad have even helped?

posted 12 years ago by EightiesKid
10 replies | jump to latest

Assuming Larry even told the truth in the first place (although he probably did, he was clearly scared in that last scene), it was still risky. I'm not sticking up for him, he was clearly impulsive, irresponsible, and selfish, but in a weird way he might've been safer running from the bookies.

Frank's offer of having Larry work for him while he paid them $1000 a month until the $26k was paid off, was the most responsibly sound idea, but who's to say it would've worked? I doubt they'd accept the installment payments anyway.

Was Frank planning to find them and give them the money himself? (These guys weren't some respectable businessmen, they were dangerous criminals who probably wouldn't think twice about murder. I wouldn't put it past them to hurt or kill Frank and his wife, or Cool, in order to get their money back or just to be taken seriously.) Was he going to give the money to Larry to trust HE would pay them? Knowing him, he'd probably gamble it all again, lol.

By taking off to Chile, at least it was only himself that was in any real danger (and he'd be harder to find anyway).

[–] chas77 12 years ago

and I'm wondering -- was Frank still responsible for the debt after Larry the loser bailed? I'm assuming the bookies knew where Larry was staying (after they "dropped" him off)...isn't that how it works? You go to the next person in line for payment...

[–] furienna 12 years ago

We never found out. But it would have been terrible, if those criminals started attacking Larry's parents and son to get the money, so I hope they didn't do it.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] EightiesKid 12 years ago

Yeah, I think that Frank was a little naive as to how dangerous the bookies really were. It seems like he just thought they were maybe small time criminals who were into some shady things but didn't pose a serious threat, when they were clearly hardcore and wouldn't have thought twice about murder.

I just can't see them going "Sure Larry, it's cool, we'll take $1k a month until it's paid off." Frank should've gone to the police, they might've been more inclined to offer protection that way.

No matter what, I'm sure they didn't just forget about the $26k. Chances are they would've pursued Larry first, but sadly I can see them roughing up Frank (or even maybe other relatives like Gil) to get their money, if they couldn't find him.

[–] chas77 12 years ago

No matter what, I'm sure they didn't just forget about the $26k. Chances are they would've pursued Larry first, but sadly I can see them roughing up Frank (or even maybe other relatives like Gil) to get their money, if they couldn't find him.

You are probably right. They made it seem too comical. If I was Robards I would have told Hulce,"sure I'll give you 3k but tell me how to get in touch with the bookies -- and I never want to see your face again."

and then call the cops!

Any ex-loan sharks want to chime in here? Tell us how it would play out?

[–] asherp 11 years ago

Lots of bookies are small time..even though associated with organized crime...They would have wanted their money...and a dead gambler doesn't pay...There probably would have been a lot of interest...but Larry's dad is right..they would have made a deal to get their money....If they were really despicable they might have killed Larry eventually...but 26k being paid off isn't a reason to kill someone.

[–] rattlesnake_suitcase 10 years ago

I agree. But if they wanted a faster timeline they would have gone after the business as collateral, this is what Tony Soprano would do. Well, since you cant pay it all now we are now partners - And by partners I mean you will order tons of plumbing supplies on credit and we will sell them on the black market at 100% profit. Meanwhile, you sink into credit debt and declare bankruptcy because you cannot pay your supplier bills because you are not selling the product that you buy. When we (sopranos) have recouped our 26K plus probably an additional 10K in juice, we will pull out of the partnership.

"You can believe what you want, but don't believe it here." - Harry Crumb

[–] bruce-129 10 years ago

I've never quite understood what sense it makes to lend someone money to get on a game, then when they lose you beat them up so they cannot make more money? Kill them and you never get anything back, so you never get anything unless you just like killing people.

1) UnWatchable 2)Watchable,ButBad 3)Decent,SeeOnce 4)Good,Repeat&Recommend 5)Great,Classic

[–] vmarinaccio76 10 years ago

Gangsters take payments like that all the time. The only problem is there would've been a vig which would keep getting added the principle. So the $26K you owe them wouldn't be $1000 a week for 26 weeks. They would probably want $1500 a week.

[–] Huskie_Jon 9 years ago

Dead debtors do not pay bills, but word gets around, and they get other debtors to pay their debts even faster.

_______________
A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.

[–] al666940-3 9 years ago

"I'm not sticking up for him, he was clearly impulsive, irresponsible, and selfish, but in a weird way he might've been safer running from the bookies."

That guy was clearly a wreck looking for a place to happen. He's a loose cannon no matter where he is. He would've tanked Frank's business if left in charge of it.

"but who's to say it would've worked? I doubt they'd accept the installment payments anyway. "

Back then (when loan sharks usually would prefer a paying late customer to a dead one to set an example) it would have, for a simple reason: Frank does NOT owe them anything.

The only reason mobsters like Tony Soprano can get away with taking over businesses from gamblers is because those gamblers played and lost. Cops don't care much about them (they had it coming).

But when mobsters go after innocent people (people whom are neither gamblers or anything remotely connected to mobbed up activities), two things happen:
- Those people don't think twice about going to the cops (being clean, they have nothing to lose/fear by going to the cops)
- The cops DO take action (unless completely crooked/bought), because even when colluded with organized crime, they do usually draw a line in the sand (square clean civilians are not to be harmed).

You want real life examples?
- Goodfellas: they rough up a guy whose sister is a typewriter for the FBI. Thus they all go do a dime in federal prison.
- Casino: the bank manager whom Nicky threatens to kill to get his investment capital back. Ace clearly warns him to stop because that guy, being square and clean, will run to the FBI.

Movies sure, but based on real life criminals.

"they were dangerous criminals who probably wouldn't think twice about murder. "

If they were, Larry would be missing fingers or a nut by the time they "dropped him off" at Frank's. Based on that, Frank guesses they might be reasonable.

"Was he going to give the money to Larry to trust HE would pay them?"

Frank said HE would go talk to them. So obviously they would be dealing with him, not Larry.