MovieChat Forums > Exotica (1995) Discussion > Eric and Francis..(MAJOR SPOILER)

Eric and Francis..(MAJOR SPOILER)

posted 17 years ago by Aditya_Gokhale
8 replies | jump to latest

What was that whole thing about Eric and Francis meeting at the back of Exotica in the end...Eric being sad and revealing that he "knows all about Francis" and that he found his daughter.
Francis then embraces him.

Does this mean Eric did not know all this while that the girl he found was Francis' daughter? Did he find out only after the whole "throwing out" incident and Christina getting mad at him?

"We are God's unwanted children? So be it!"

[–] vaughnjones3000 16 years ago

I suspect Eric had known all along everything that was going on. Having seen the child's body had affected Eric greatly, as is seen in the scene between he and Eric. His efforts to have Francis thrown out of the club were probably indicative of the fact that Francis's presence served as a reminder, and Eric felt tied to the event as it is. Perhaps Eric even felt somewhat responsible. When I was watching the scene with Eric and Thomas in the bathroom I thought he would do what he did to Francis in the other bathroom scene, but seeing how the picture unfolds my opinion changed. Eric couldn't deal with how the incident had affected him, and in the end his only means of dealing with it was to confront Francis.

Or, at least, that's my opinion.

[–] mewvie 15 years ago

I think Eric was just a lonely guy and still ha feelings from Christina but seeing her have that relationship with Francis was too much for him. I think Eric was left with no one, no one at all after Christina. Remember their talk in the feild when they first met, Eric doesn't seem to have anyone in his life and he ends up in this crummy job clinging to the only person that perhaps ever loved him... Or at least that was my take on it!

Of course Eric knew the whole story all along which brings allot of complexity to the characters, I think Eric felt very confused about it all and did not really trust Francis and wanted him gone but had been quiet about it for Christina's sake since Francis was obviously a very part of her life. The ending lets us know Christina had a shaky past in her home life and I suspect Francis was more a father figure to her thus taking allot of space and Eric could not compete with that and felt abonded!

But then like the other guy said: at least, that's my opinion!

Oh and great movie, could have used a dance coach but what a great movie!

[–] scarfo_mike 13 years ago

No, he was also using christina as a therapeutic thing for him (eric), and at first didnt want the main character to have that same therapy to himself.

[–] joe2002 15 years ago

I did enjoy this movie, but the #1 question I had at the end was, "If Eric knew that Francis had lost his daughter and Christina was his primary comfort and solace, how could he possibly be so cruel as to physically throw him out of the club like that?"

[–] 666Night999 15 years ago

The short answer is that he wanted to get back at Christina because she found out about the kid he was going to have with Zoe, and he wanted to take away her connection with Francis. 2nd is because he felt that Francis' relationship was becoming more than platonic with her, possibly, and wanted to find a way to remove Francis for his own good.

There is no night as deep as this
Inevitable mind's abyss
Where I now dwell with foes alone

[–] joe2002 15 years ago

Perhaps I'm missing the obvious "Because he's a guy", but isn't *he* the one who was betraying *Christina* by bonking or insemanating Zoe (not much difference one way or the other if you ask me)? If so, why should *he* be so mad that Christina found out?

[–] 666Night999 15 years ago

I think Eric thought he could keep it hidden from her. When she found out, Eric lashed out by causing psychological injury to her; the "sassy piece of jailbait" comment, removing Francis from her realm(the club), interrupting her when she's with clinics. Eric mentions he has to keep his feelings in check, "that is what the contract is for", but he obviously has feelings for Zoe that he's dealing with.

Also, there is a gap of time unknown to us between the field scenes and the club scenes, and there had to be some disconnect that caused Eric to stray like he did, or to even contemplate an "affair" with Zoe, prior to getting involved with her. What that catalyst was is not known.

Also, I think that Christna and Zoe were lovers;re that passionate kissing scene. There could be jealously going around for everyone involved.

Besides the alternate answer I gave about the platonic relationship teetering on something more, I don't think there is an entirely right or definitve answer for his motives.

I hope this makes sense, it's almost 3AM now.

There is no night as deep as this
Inevitable mind's abyss
Where I now dwell with foes alone

[–] the_fifth 14 years ago

The way I understood it was this:

Eric has been aware of everything since the beginning. The reason why he kicked Francis out of the club was because of jealousy. He's obviously still in love with Christina, but she looks so detached (like Zoe says to her before the kissing). Christina has become some sort of an emotional zombie. She, like Francis, is stuck on her past. You have to admit that the way they are so attached to each-other (in a delusional way) is quite unsettling and downright creepy. This continuous hurt and obsession frustrates Eric. Francis and Christina are playing a creepy game, trying to heal their issues, while in fact they are sinking further into this perverse emotional spiral that if anything is just fueling their detachment to reality. Eric sees this perfectly. On the other hand, after having thrown him out and having the fight with Christina, he must feel guilty and maybe ashamed of having done such a thing. Christina looks very upset and Eric understands that perhaps he has gone too far. His self-righteousness (although sound) comes from his petty jealousy after all.

I just saw this move for the first time yesterday. I'm completely captivated. One of the best movies I've ever seen, to be sure.