MovieChat Forums > Monster's Ball (2002) Discussion > Was Hank's metamorphosis unrealistic?

Was Hank's metamorphosis unrealistic?

posted 6 years ago by Wuchak (8852)
4 replies | jump to latest

A critic wrongly argued that Hank (Thornton) was a hardcore racist and wouldn’t have such a “sudden change of heart.” He evidently wasn’t watching closely. At the beginning of the movie Hank was well into the process of metamorphosizing from his father’s odious mindset. Yes, he does something hateful with his rifle at the beginning, but this was a PERFORMANCE for his dad who was peering through the window with approval. In short, the hateful patriarch still exercised his insufferable iron will over the family even while he was restricted to a wheelchair and stroller. The film’s about freeing oneself of that power and that hate; and much more.

[–] TearofLys (2666) 6 years ago

Agree. The view that people can't change, and bigots will always be bigots, is grim. I like to think there is the possibility of enlightenment and positive change.

[–] GordonGartrelle (1268) 4 years ago

Yes, absolutely unrealistic.

I don't think Hank was a hardcore rasict, I think he just wanted to have his father's approval.
To say he was a racist then he helped a black woman and now he no longer hates black people is so dismissive.

I just re-watched it and this is nothing but a love story that has race thrown in it cause shock value.

Hank obviously was tired of being alone and Letisha was tired of being alone.
They got together and stayed together.

Did I miss anything about the movie?

[–] Wuchak (8852) 4 years ago

It wasn't unrealistic. The story shows that Hank -- representing the newer generation -- wasn't contaminated with racism like his father from the older generation. What Hank does with the rifle at the beginning was a performance for his father, whom he knew was watching through the window. He plainly told the woman at the hospital that he didn't love his dad, but fulfilled his familial duty as a son simply because Mr. Grotowski was his father. Hank clearly wasn't racist since he worked in harmony with black people at the prison and had zero problem kindly helping a black woman, not to mention entering an interracial romantic relationship. His dad, on the other hand, was irrevocably contaminated by racism and had to pass away for Hank to finally be free of his sullying influence.

[–] Boricanator (1469) 3 years ago

When Buck says racist things against the children, you can see Hanks disgust in his face.

I don’t think he really had racist thoughts. He just said racist things because he was desperately emulating his father.