MovieChat Forums > Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) Discussion > Was Albert Finney's murder of PSH a merc...

Was Albert Finney's murder of PSH a mercy killing?

posted 14 years ago by JimLoneWolf
23 replies | jump to latest

The first time I watched this film, I assumed the final murder to be an act of revenge. But upon a second viewing, I'm starting to reconsider that assumption.

Hoffman's character had just murdered 3 people (on top of his involvement in the initial robbery), and at the very least, would be spending the rest of his life in jail...on top of all the guilt about what he's done.

Maybe, just maybe, Finney's character believed the merciful thing to do was to kill his son, sparing him a lifetime of the agony that Finney was experiencing and which he "knew" his son was experiencing (remember the conversation in which Finney slaps Hoffman?). He also didn't seem angry when he called out to his other son, which lends water to this theory.

Or maybe he just wanted revenge. That's the genius of the film, both possibilities "work" when broken down and analysed.

Something to think about, in any case.

[–] dgz78 14 years ago

I vote revenge.

He knew Andy was involved since he wanted to fence diamonds. He had a gun. He followed Andy around apparently looking for a chance to shoot him.

I doubt the dad that slapped his son earlier in the movie would have a change of heart.

[–] bluefellow 14 years ago

The OP makes a decent argument for a mercy killing, but I vote revenge as well. The Dad had a soft spot for the youngest (Hank), whereas it appears there was always a rift with his oldest (Andy). So just because the Dad might show mercy or compassion toward Hank does not mean that Andy will get the same treatment. Plus the actions and expressions of the Dad as he follows Andy and ultimately carries out his plan look a lot more like a man set on vengeance rather than mercy.

To the OP; you might want to rephrase the title for this thread, or at least give a spoiler alert.

"I don't want any Commies in my car. No Christians, either."

[–] Zando777 14 years ago

He had good reason to slap his son. Not everyone who slaps someone wants to kill them.

[–] Zando777 14 years ago

In support of your thesis -- there's also the "fade to heavenly white" at the very end. This could indicate that the father is at peace, having avenged his wife, but it seems more logical to assume it shows that PSH is going to heaven now, whether or not that was the father's intention. (Note also the movie title -- PSH should rightfully be going to hell, but maybe his father's actions somehow redeemed him.) Given how totally screwed PSH was, having killed several people, under arrest, dealing with having caused the death of his mom, etc. one could certainly see that as an act of mercy/love, if not totally unambivalent.

[–] nate-940-427726 14 years ago

Is it crazy of me to suggest that it could be both?
The father obviously has to be furious that his own son figuratively stabbed him in the back.
At the same time, it would be hard to imagine going through every day knowing your son was rotting in jail in connection to something that screwed your life over.

It seems to me that if it was a mercy killing, there had to be some inner rage that was being released.

[–] rowenad 14 years ago

I vote revenge. The expression on his face shouted "revenge" to me

[–] blancas00 14 years ago

I just finished watching this movie and have to agree 110% with "rowenad"

All you have to do is look at the father's face while he's in the middle of the act. It's pure vengeance, and no compassion, as well as methodical. To transfer the heart monitor leads, the remove the O2 from his knows, to the lowering the head and using the second pillow... it was thought out, and was an act of revenge.

[–] simonds007-552-111126 14 years ago

It was *beep* up is what it was.

[–] Ironman54 13 years ago

"I brought ya into this world and now I'm gonna take you out ..." Took ownership of his screw up.

[–] juanarturo_2000 10 years ago

It really was *beep* up. What kind of father kills his own son? There are no justifications. None.

[–] Gus-69 10 years ago

There is. Have you seen the film?

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[–] imtokyojoeiknowtokyo 12 years ago

No friend it aint a mercy killing.

He was angry, pure and simple.

Take care friends.

im tokyo joe and i know tokyo
http://www.tokyojoe.tk

[–] Angus-8 12 years ago

Hmm... very interesting and thought provoking, Jim. Thanks for that. I don't think I agree w/you though. The police would have had him dead to rights, but it wasn't obvious that the father knew that, so he may not have been certain about what legal problems PSH would have had. It also contributes to answer the question about whether or not PSH is his son.

Edit: And I just had a thought: Sid Vicious's mother claimed that she euthanize him, perhaps because he was facing a murder charge. I don't know if I believe that, but maybe whoever came up by the idea was inspired by this.

Great movie, BTW! The last 2 PSH movies I've seen (Owning Mahowny is the other) have been the best movies I've seen in a long time! Oops... he was also in Ides of March. That wasn't so great

[–] anchampala 12 years ago

di?d you see his eyes(the father's) when he was suffocating andy. i think it was clearly revenge.

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[–] Medinensis 12 years ago

I have actually considered the mercy killing option before, but I'm going with revenge. Not only the expression on the father's face, but the tone of voice as he repeats "it's ok Andy," cynical and dripping with malice.

One might argue that it was a combination of both -- and it's in the eye of the beholder when all's said and done -- but I see only revenge and bitter anger on display.

[–] koffeenkreame41-1 11 years ago

I have actually considered the mercy killing option before, but I'm going with revenge. Not only the expression on the father's face, but the tone of voice as he repeats "it's ok Andy," cynical and dripping with malice.

One might argue that it was a combination of both -- and it's in the eye of the beholder when all's said and done -- but I see only revenge and bitter anger on display.

^^This. Did you hear the tone of his voice? It was DEFINETELY revenge, he didn't care about the who or why or how, he didn't care at that point that he was killing his son, to him, he killed his great love and he had to pay.

"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.