MovieChat Forums > Legends of the Fall (1995) Discussion > The weak plot point...

The weak plot point...

posted 4 years ago by Wuchak (8855)
6 replies | jump to latest

...was Tristan's guilt over the death of his little brother in WW1.

His dad explained the obvious perfectly: "Samuel chose to be a soldier and soldiers die." Not to mention Samuel chose to go on that combat detail while Tristan was visiting the wounded Alfred. In other words, Samuel was a young man who made his own decisions, come what may. It's not like Tristan could hold his hand every minute throughout that war despite his promise to Susannah to protect him.

Tristan was smart enough to realize this so I don't buy his perpetual guilt over Samuel's death. It struck me as an eye-rolling plot contrivance.

[–] Druff (1845) 4 years ago

The only reason Tristan went with Samuel was to make sure he made it home in one piece. He was supposed to stay with Samuel at all times and make sure he never did anything like what he ended up doing. Tristan failed to protect him, and he feels bad about it. It's not rocket science.

[–] Wuchak (8855) 4 years ago

It's not possible to stay with an adult with freewill "at all times," especially during a freakin' world war. It's a weak, contrived plot point and I didn't buy it. But if you think it's wonderful writing more power to ya.

[–] Druff (1845) 4 years ago

I don't think it's wonderful writing. It's serviceable writing, and it's no wonder Tristan felt extremely guilty.

All fictional stories are contrived by definition.

[–] Wuchak (8855) 4 years ago

True, but great writing executes the contrivances in such a way that you roll with it rather than roll-your-eyes at it.

it's no wonder Tristan felt extremely guilty

No it's not, especially since he's depicted as such an extremely masculine man. Such men don't torture themselves with guilt over something that was clearly out of their control.

As far as Tristan promising to protect Samuel goes, such a promise doesn't include having tyrannical control over another person's will. All Tristan could do was keep a protective eye on Samuel in a highly uncertain, dangerous situation overseas. He did that.

Hence, the gross, life-stifling guilt he experienced was eye-rolling.

[–] Ldlamb (655) 3 years ago

Yes…because when something is “explained” to you….you always agree 100% both logically and emotionally and act accordingly…..whatever, dude.

[–] howgamer (3988) 3 years ago

I felt it was Alfred's jealousy towards Tristan in regards to Susanne. Alfred saw the connection between Tristan and Susanne even before the war. Yet he thinks it's a good idea to confess his love towards her, not only at his brother's (her fiancé) grave to which she refuses, but knows that there is a great chance that Tristan comes home. Tristan and Susanne then marry, and Tristan disappears and she marries Alfred. But, when Tristan returns, and it's obvious she still has feelings for her ex-husband, he is somehow baffled and then blames her death on Tristan.

Maybe it is the pacing of the film that gets me. It seemed like people's motivations just turned at whim without a lot of time passing by.