MovieChat Forums > Asylum (2005) Discussion > Another weak, pathetic, husband! Ho-hum...

Another weak, pathetic, husband! Ho-hum.....

posted 18 years ago by swayback80
15 replies | jump to latest

So I guess in order for these types of films to work, ie: the cheating wife,
it's necessary to have the husband portrayed as some ineffectual, weak, utterly
despicable character. Think about it- his wife cheats with an inmate. His reaction? Why to take her back immediately, of course. Any self respecting individual, man or woman, would express some sense of outrage. Some semblance of "normal" human emotion. But NOOOOOOOOO! Be prepared to see reactions that defy logic. Yes he screwed you- yes I'm humiliated, yes I know you don't love me- but that's OK! To move the implausible scenario forward- I have to be willing to accept this, and still want you back! Moreover, go ahead and kill my son- it doesn't matter. My role is the IDIOT HUSBAND! I put up with ANYTHING. Yet I'm so pathetic, that I still crawl back for more. The examples are numerous, in many movies. The "husband as idiot" scenario is alive & well!

"Vulcans never bluff".
Mr. Spock-
Original Star Trek

[–] TheGiantPaperPanda 15 years ago

I realize I'm three years too late, but have you not seen Unfaithful? Great husband who unfortunately was also cheated on. There are several films where the husband is portrayed as kind and sincere, but still gets cheated on by his wife.

[–] lamont-hard 14 years ago

Though I don't go as far as the OP goes but he does have a point. If you do not notice that this scenario is most of the time, almost as he says then you are not paying attention. This scenario is almost 75 percent of love stories. And it's getting old to even true romantics. I have said before that there are so few movies made where the husband finds true love and leaves a bad wife.

[–] nogodlover 9 years ago

I don't think the husband in this movie was great. From the start of the movie he talked to her horribly and disrespectful and didn't treat her well

[–] smidget28 (805) 3 years ago

Take into consideration the time period and the status of the man, and it will explain more.

[–] ER-Nat 15 years ago

well this is based on a novel, and in fact in the book the husband is even more passive aggressive. I think its meant to represent the traditional and stifling roles in England in the 1950's. He's not a weak man, he's just absorbed in the life he's spent years creating, she's just a pawn in his chess game of life. He wants to portray the picture of English success. He allows her back because he's convinced he can "fix" the cracks in the glass not realizing its shattered.

also in the book the death of the son is better explained. she saw Edgar drowning when Charlie was drowning, she thought she was letting the whole thing go. By the time she realized it was her son it was too late, and she falls apart emotionally when she's in the mental hospital.

[–] denise1234 11 years ago

ER-Nat^

* spoiler *

<also in the book the death of the son is better explained. she saw Edgar drowning when Charlie was drowning, she thought she was letting the whole thing go. By the time she realized it was her son it was too late, and she falls apart emotionally when she's in the mental hospital.>

Well, that certainly helps explain what happened there...from the movie, I could tell she wasn't quite 'with it', but couldn't quite make out what was going on in her mind then.

Thanks!

~~ If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story ~ Orson Welles

[–] lamont-hard 14 years ago

In your next to last paragraph, who is the husband talking to.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] lamont-hard 14 years ago

To: Tatia Tatianna...Thanks for the info, I will be getting around to watching this soon. I feel the words spoken were very thoughtful. If the movie is as good as just that particular paragraph i would be a happy viewer. I have questions that i can't wait to be answered buy viewing the movie. It's kinda of funny when you say...the complexity of the characters and haunting portrayals when this is a film made of a story on a mental institution.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Liemir 14 years ago

it is clear that the husband loves the wife

Maybe...but I interpreted their marriage rather as a loveless & abusive union, especially on HIS side: he was constantly yelling at her & telling her what to do (including saying that she should "behave" on several occasions). Not exactly the behaviour of a "loving" & doting husband.

Besides, he only seemed to want her back because their son "needed her".I never saw any longing looks coming from him-on the contrary, only disdaine & contempt. Furthermore, he was always so cold & controlling... I for one wasn't surprised that she went looking for affection elsewhere.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] PenguinCat 10 years ago

I know this is old but you don't just fall out of love because your spouse decided to. When you get married you believe it is for life otherwise why the F would you do it??

Getting over a cheating spouse is extremely hard when it's a shock. Which it should be because, again, why would you marry someone who you think will cheat on you?

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] PenguinCat 10 years ago

It's the 1950s? He's a man who in those times married a lovely woman of good standing to better his career? For sex?

Well when you put it that way. So he really isn't pathetic then since he married her for sex and career. So sure why break up with her? It's not like he loved her for herself anyway.
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