MovieChat Forums > Mad Dog and Glory (1993) Discussion > Clever 'Subtext'?-spoilers

Clever 'Subtext'?-spoilers

posted 19 years ago by matthew_91_2000
7 replies | jump to latest

There is a very clever "subtext" (I hope I am using the term correctly-I needed to take a few more literature and film classes) to this film that no one seems to be getting. I personally believe that this is a much better film than it appears to be generally considered here.

Early on in the film, Bill Murray's Frank Milo promises De Niro's "Mad Dog" that he will be the "expiditer of his dreams". Recall the block of dialogue where "Mad Dog" says something to the effect of "I wish I were a brave man....I wish I were a handsome man"-basically an archetypical "classic hero" or whatever. The remainder of the film is Frank Milo doing precisely that: making "Mad Dog's" dreams come true. Think of the end result of all of Frank Milo's macinations-self loathing meek, reticient "Mad Dog" essentially boldly engages in an epic battle against the "dragon" (Milo) to save the "princess" (Glory obviously), who in the process proves her love for him by attempting to sacrifice herself so "Mad Dog" can be spared further tribulations-straight out of the "storybooks".

Further evidence of this "subtext" is indicated in the sequences with the windows. Recall that early in the film "Mad Dog" is nothing but a pathetic voyeur, as he peers through his own window at two lovers who although they cannot be clearly seen, are obviously (the man) muscular (and also symbolically powerful and brave), and buxom (and beautiful etc). Later, HE becomes the "big, strong, bold, powerful " man holding his beautiful lover in the window-essentially a reversal.

Getting off my highbrow soapbox, David Caruso is awesome here. One of my favorite scenes of all time is Frank Milo's "gorilla" going upstairs to get Glory, and opening the door to find Caruso's character casually reclining on the sofa. Hysterical! Another favorite is the scene in the bar where he backs down the burly cop who is domestically abusing "Mad Dog's" neighbor.

[–] zrug99z 19 years ago

I think you might be right. But could it be that Frank deliberetely organised the whole Glory situation so that Wayne could become that hero? Was the whole thing a game to "help" Wayne get self esteem? I know it sounds stretched, but what do you think?

And yeah, I too liked the scene where Caruso gives that cop bully a taste of his own medicine. And he did it without having to use violence!

"I don't get laid. I make love"
Mad Dog

[–] bama1111 19 years ago

This is an interesting idea. Frank, being the a-hole he is, sarcastically ridicules Wayne's efforts in the store as being ineffectual. He could later realize that Wayne was the timid sort and set up a situation that would allow him to change. But, I think, Frank is such an egomaniac that I doubt that he would do that for someone else.

Emperor: Tell me how he died.
Captain Algren: I will tell you...how he lived.

[–] you_savvy 19 years ago

"Don't even turn around to say goodbye,"... I usually can't stand Caruso, but he's a complete badass in this film.

And yes, you're completely right about Frank inadvertently becoming the expiditer of Wayne's dreams. I feel kind of stupid for not noticing that before.

[–] matthew_91_2000 19 years ago

so you don't think that an egomaniac would "get off" on the idea of affecting subtle macinations to affect the destiny of another, AKA "Playing God".

Also, for motivation, Franks therapist told him to do it.

[–] 4bidnplanet 18 years ago

The subtext is repeated about a half dozen times throughout the movie.
"No guts, no Glory."

[–] fabrice4211 16 years ago

Yeah I noticed that and thought it was so on the nose that it wasn't even subtext any more... But the Milo theory is a really interesting one though.

[–] mprose 16 years ago

That is definitely what's going on in this movie, just below the surface. Pretty much straight up nerd wish-fulfillment

As for whether or not that was the intention of Frank Milo, that's something you'd be able to argue about forever. For myself, I think it was something that occurred to Bill Murray's character only immediately before his last parting line in the movie. In sort of a "well, I'll be damned" way.