MovieChat Forums > Junebug (2005) Discussion > So George turned out to be a religious n...

So George turned out to be a religious nutcase

posted 13 years ago by henrimaine
24 replies | jump to latest

Overall, I liked the movie. Perhaps the most interesting or intriguing point in the movie was how the young husband (George) revealed his hidden side as they (George and Madeleine) came to see his family.

I mean, they had met in the big city and Madeleine, being herself a successful, independent, individualistic, liberal, agnostic, modern woman assumed that George is the same as her. But as they came to his hometown it was gradually revealed that George is really a conservative, family oriented, religious nutcase. Now that must have been quite a shock. The scene where George sang the religious song was really weird.

[–] ppllkk 13 years ago

henrimaine wrote:

But as they came to his hometown it was gradually revealed that George is really a conservative, family oriented, religious nutcase

When George was growing up, he fit into the community that he was living in, and religion was an important part of that community. George is not a rebel; he is a person who fits in.All that George's singing a religious song tells us is that when George was in high school, he participated in religious activities with his family, and he could sing. It says nothing about his religious beliefs then other than that he participated, and certainly nothing about them now.He left all that behind a long time ago. His wife is learning something about his past. It surprises her because he is so different now.As far as George being family-oriented, he has not been home three years, and he only does so because he and his wife are going to be nearby, and his wife wants to meet his family._______________For easy markup see http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/42255

[–] Hello_Jill 13 years ago

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gossipgirlrockstar 12 years ago

Wow! What a bigoted title. Actually your whole post. Wow!

I'm a rare combination of French film buff and thug.

[–] hodie 12 years ago

Seriously bigoted. And Madeleine seemed charmed by George's singing the hymn.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] nutsberryfarm 12 years ago

he just needed a hobby.

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!

[–] DeclanCochran 12 years ago

All I thought that scene was doing was showing that moment where you learn something new about someone you'd previously thought you knew perfectly. George has obviously kept quiet about his hometown before now, and this is Madeleine finding out about that side to George. The reaction shots of the family reinforce this, as they show how much the hymn means to the family and how much stock they have placed in George's place in the religious community. That's what the scene meant to me.

Also, I am an atheist, but the "religious nutcases" in this film put you to shame on the kindness and acceptance front.

[–] DeclanCochran 12 years ago

(Also might I suggest you found the scene weird because, shock horror, these normal down to earth Christians are actually kindly and loving people at their core... Who knew?!??!)

[–] ppllkk 12 years ago

DeclanCochran wrote:

The reaction shots of the family reinforce this, as they show how much the hymn means to the family and how much stock they have placed in George's place in the religious community.

I think it is more pride in George -- he was always a star -- than his "place in the religious community."Please note Johnny's reaction is an expression of absolute hatred.For easy markup in Firefox & Opera, see http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/42255

[–] DeclanCochran 12 years ago

That's one way to put it. I'm not going to say you're right, but I'm not going to say I'm right either, your opinion is only as valid as mine. Johnny might have had that look of utter contempt, but Peg was tearing up. Different people in the family have different opinions, and I guess different people watching the film have different opinions as well.

I must say that if George really was as proud as you say he was, then how come he seemed almost ashamed around Madeleine afterwards? Food for thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My blog, if you're interested; [email protected]

[–] ppllkk 12 years ago

DeclanCochran wrote

That's one way to put it. I'm not going to say you're right, but I'm not going to say I'm right either, your opinion is only as valid as mine.

If in the line that I quoted above you are saying that anyone's opinion is as valid as anyone else's opinion in the general case, that is nonsense.Why do you believe that George had any special place in the religious community? He was part of the community, and he has a particular skill that the congregation enjoyed. I do not know of any indication that he was particularly religious.

Johnny might have had that look of utter contempt

I merely observed the look on Johnny's face when his brother was the center of attention. It is important in understanding the family dynamics.

I must say that if George really was as proud as you say he was

Please use cut and paste and show me where I said that. Peg is particularly proud of George and always has been. So is Ashley here. Peg was never proud of Johnny.For easy markup in Firefox & Opera, see http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/42255

[–] hodie1 10 years ago

I agree with Declan. Religion didn't have a whole lot to do with the film. Madeleine just saw a side of George she had never seen before. Johnny was just jealous of his brother. And George's parents has never met anyone like Madeleine but they were decent people, especially the father.

[–] ppllkk 10 years ago

hodie1 wrote:

but they were decent people, especially the father.

Eugene is great, but I don't know what to call Peg. She destroyed her younger son; her older son wants nothing to do with her; her husband, who loves her, hides from her in the basement.And she is completely out of touch with the reality in her family. Her best chance of ever seeing George again is to play nice with Madeleine and appeal to her as a woman to come visit with her husband again. Instead, she is systematically hostile to Madeleine.She claims to understand George better than anyone else. She may know that he likes mayonnaise, but beyond such things, she is completely clueless about George.I am sure that there is some sense in which the word "decent" could be applied to Peg, but I would not describe her that way.

[–] jname96 10 years ago

^ Good points.

Peg certainly had issues w/ her family, and others. You were tactful to not refer to her with any particular term nonetheless. Just because she has animosity with family members doesn't mean she's indecent either. It just means there's the possibility of dubious intent on her behalf.

[–] ppllkk 10 years ago

jname96 wrote:

It just means there's the possibility of dubious intent on her behalf.

I do not question Peg's intentions.She thinks that she is doing the right thing, but she is completely wrong because she seems to have almost no understanding of people.It is like the Tiger Moms. They think that they are doing the right thing. Sometimes they may be successful. Sometimes they will destroy their children. Even when they produce a highly successful child, I suspect they have a child with lifelong scars. That is certainly the case here.

[–] jname96 10 years ago

Lol, you called it; I was actually going to edit my post for that very line: I used the wrong terminology. I meant to say: Peg may be misguided, yes.

That's all. I agree; she doesn't have bad intentions—she just expresses it all wrong. It's like she's not self-aware about her actions and words, and the effects it has on people.

[–] Buff70 10 years ago

Henrimaine. OP.

Wow.

and what makes you so high and mighty by making such a despicable snide comment.

So, according to you, a Christian, conservative, family oriented, proper person is automatically a "nutcase"?

Wait, how would you like it if one assumes that a liberal can be a materialistic, superficial, gold digging Jew?

Better yet, how would you like it if I were to assume that all muslims are nasty bastards , beheaders, rapists, terrorists, pedophiles, etc etc?
Hmm, are you raising your eyebrows yet axxhole?

[–] jname96 10 years ago

I know; I'm not religious but I'm humble enough to know I'm not all-knowing, so I can't judge anyone for their beliefs.

[–] Buff70 10 years ago

What a TURD this OP , nasty little prick.
This is not about the movie, this is about his attitude.

As a Christian, I am sick sick of being always fair game to be the target of insults in this society,

It is politically incorrect to present the truth as it is, always being afraid and walking on eggshells, not calling the lowest of the low, the most violent, the beheaders of our day ISLAMISTS, but its ok to harrass Christians, to slam us left and right, thats perfectly acceptable in this crazy society today.

*beep* IT.

Nauseating this Bullxhit is.

[–] ppllkk 10 years ago

Buff70 is insane. I suggested we all put him on ignore.

[–] Buff70 10 years ago

You dont know what to say huh.

Fine with me.

Now stick by your "suggestion" and stop bothering me.

Thanks.

[–] [email protected] (690) 8 years ago

That you are so enraged over some silly person using the phrase "religious nutcase" in regard to Christianity seems to validate the OP's remark. Sadly, there are a lot of nutcases around, especially of the religious variety. You can either be one or keep your own counsel. I found the scene to be charming and find nothing wrong the the portrayal of Christians as regular people in this film, so no need to go berserk just because someone wasn't sufficiently respectful.

[–] russellclo 9 years ago

I thought Madeleine looked kind of shocked at his singing. I don't think attending church functions and singing a religious songs makes you a "religious nutcase." Other than that, he didn't have a lot to say about Christianity.

[–] ppllkk 9 years ago

russellclo wrote:

I thought Madeleine looked kind of shocked at his singing.

Yes, it is a side of him that she has never seen, probably both the singing and the singing in a religious context. If she had thought about it, she probably would have realized that George grew up in the local religion.

I don't think attending church functions and singing a religious songs makes you a "religious nutcase."

Only a "nutcase" would think that. George's religious side goes back to when he was growing up in a religious community and he tried to please everyone. There's no indication that his religion is anything other than a relic from his childhood.