Rolfe's bad influence


Rolfe certainly helped to stoke the flame of Wade's theory that there may have been foul play regarding Twombley's death - even offering logical motives for it: "Who else benefits if Twombley is suddenly dead?" Seriously, Rolfe? You're not a drunk and you KNOW your brother's right on the edge of complete insanity and you indulge and encourage this fantasy? Which, even if it WAS true, you had to know Wade was in no way capable of doing anything about it. Then, in the epilogue, you casually mention that you may have believed Wade's conspiracy theory, albeit briefly. C'mon man. I loved this dark film and the two blistering performances from Coburn and Nolte, but this bit by Rolfe has always bothered me. Guess if I care this much, Schrader's done his job well.

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Rolfe certainly bears some responsibility for Wade's behavior. From his own words ("Wade lived on the edge of his emotions...without perspective"), Rolfe was aware of his brother's less than stable and rational mental state, and he added a lot of fuel to the fire by giving Wade a far-fetched conspiracy theory about Twombley's death being a hit to brood over. Even if Rolfe genuinely believed the theory to be true at one time (as he says), he also knew, or should have realized that no good could come of giving Wade the idea to run with.

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