MovieChat Forums > Unlawful Entry (1992) Discussion > gay subtext

gay subtext

posted 18 years ago by ebay1963
37 replies | jump to latest

I remember seeing this film with a straight buddy of mine and being dumbfounded that he didn't notice that this film is all about Pete pursuing Michael. Pete invites Michael to ride along with him in the police car. That's a date, plain and simple. He arranges it so that Michael can beat up on the burglar. That's practically flowers and a box of chocolates. Michael starts getting weirded out by Pete and "breaks up" with him at Lovers' Lane, for crying out loud! It's only then that Pete starts stalking Michael's wife. I know there will be a huge outcry that not everything has a gay subtext, but my fellow gay guys will agree. It's the only way this movie makes any sense.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mattco123 13 years ago

i just saw this movie for the first time... i don't know how much i agree, but i did notice that earlier on when Kurt Russell is leaning into the car window or Ray's, they seemed awfully close, almost like they are going to kiss!

[–] SnoozeAlarm 12 years ago

>>>> He arranges it so that Michael can beat up on the burglar. That's practically flowers and a box of chocolates.

I always enjoy seeing when someone appreciates true romance.

http://tinyurl.com/cjsy86c

[–] RainyNightHouse 12 years ago

No I definitely did not pick that up from the film; I saw it like this: The first moment Pete laid eyes on Karen, he thought she was amazing (recall the look on his face as he watched her walk down the stairs in her house after the break-in). He wanted her from that moment but he of course did not make any swift moves. How can he get closer to her? By befriending FIRST the husband, then of course subsequently both of them as a couple. That's why he befriended Michael - to get to the wife, gradually, bit by bit. He couldn't go straight to the wife and ask her out for a coffee and a chat! The only way to get closer to/more involved with his wife was to first become a friend of the husband's. He arranged it so that Michael could have the chance to beat up the burglar so that 1) he could show how tough he is as a man and cop, and 2) so that he could potentially be seen as this great friend, fantastic cop who caught the man, hence becoming even more trusted by/closer to the couple (or rather, the wife). His sights were set on her from the moment he laid eyes on her. Michael was always just a stepping stone, until he was in the way.

[–] Doc110894 11 years ago

OP: Certainly an intriguing aspect to the movie, lol.

[–] baran_erik 9 years ago

What is it with you guys and your seeing "gay subtext" in every freaking every movie every released? I think that says more about where your head is at.

[–] Stratego (31081) 3 years ago

I don't think there was any real gay subtext, but I also thought there was something flirtatious about their behavior at the beginning

[–] Patman111196 (1893) 3 years ago

Pete is emotionally unstable. He was pissed when Micheal rejected him because he mistakenly put too much faith in Michael. He assumed they would be great buddies and partners for a long time simply because Michael was polite and grateful to him. Micheal's rejection dealt a blow to his emotional ego to the point where he wanted to ruin him, and take Karen for himself.