MovieChat Forums > Sling Blade (1997) Discussion > Did Doyle want to Die? (Spoilers)

Did Doyle want to Die? (Spoilers)

posted 16 years ago by mtbaker-1
41 replies | jump to latest

Throughout the movie we witness Doyle being a prick at the least provocation but in his final scene he seems almost serene when Karl walks in carrying a lawnmower blade and asking about how to call the police. Considering that Doyle was already suspicious of Karl (recall the hammer incident from the night before), do you think Doyle secretly had a death wish? After all, his life was rather crummy: Forty-something man in godawful band raising another man's kid and forced to hang with those he despises: sounds like a recipe for suicidal ideation to me. And the equanimity with which he accepted his own death further solidifies this impression in my own mind.

So what does everyone else think?

[–] arkayenether 11 years ago

He was so arrogant that he didn't consider Karl to be a threat, even with the blade. At the same time, he was also probably in that "I don't give a Sh!t" state of drunkenness. If you've ever been completely hammered, you'd know what I'm talking about. If not, then just trust me. There's a level of drunkenness where a meteor could be coming for earth, and you wouldn't care in the least

[–] lcplthomasc 8 years ago

I think he just had a good buzz and didn't really think about it too much.

[–] ModernDayWarrior (114) 8 years ago

To a point anyone who does drug's/drinks have deep issues to them. All the drunks I've known are sad stories as are the drug users.

Doyle was just a sorry excuse of a human being period. He ran a Construction company and had power as he was pals with the cops but besides that he was a grade A loser. He has nothing to look for in life than getting smashed; he hangs out with some lowlife guys who while talented never amounted to anything, and he leached onto Linda when she was vulenerable the most and never let her go. Definatly a classic definition of an abusive a-hole with no hopes in life.

I wouldn't say he was suicidal but I think it's easy to say he hated his life but at the same time loved his small town cult of personality. He had power and pull so he could get away with anything he wanted and not worry about it. He was a lucky clown and he enjoyed it to the max. Wouldn't be suprised if he was the same age as Karl or close to him and he maybe knew of what happened. A stretch but what the hey.. lol