Not sure I really understand why Bryce's dad was so mean. He critisized the Bakers even though he didn't know them, he made fun of Juli's uncle for being mentally challenged, and he slapped his own daughter across the face. Am I missing something here?
shareYes. The class issues. They were poor. Republicans don't like the poor. I like how the film doesn't redeem his character at the end.
E.
Haha! What brilliant insight on your part, enkibilal. If there is the slightest chance that you were being sincere with your post, you display about as much thought and clarity as the fictional character himself.
shareWhy do you say Republican's don't like the poor? I'm open to evidence that back's up your statement...
Liberals think conservatives are evil;
Conservatives think liberals are stupid...
I liked the fact that Bryce's father's views were left hanging. Most kids don't really know their parents motivations much less those of other adults. Remember, we're seeing this through the eyes of two 13 yr olds in 1963. Why should we wind up knowing more than them? Back then, in suburban America, you didn't much know what your parents were about. Also, just a fyi, I was alive and kicking then and the political parties were totally different. For example, very few people in the deep South would have dreamed of voting 'Republican' then.
I agree there was some lazy writing here, but there is also lazy viewing with people who want everything spelled out and neatly tied up. We have no idea what's going to happen with any of them. Tho it would have been a little nicer to see some warts on Julie's family, and some close moments with Bryce's family other than Bryce himself at the end.
But it doesn't take any 'political' motivation to do what Bryce did at the end. It takes a lot of understanding that most people have and younger people aren't afraid to show if they care deeply enough. Bryce obviously did.
I also agree that Anthony Edwards probably gave a little more depth to his role than the director and editors actually showed. Probably 'killed' him to see a very unsympathetic portrayal. See Don Galloway's character at the kitchen table in 'The Big Chill' or the Statler Brothers 'Class of '57' for some possible character motivations.
He was angry with himself for giving up on his own dreams--remember at the dinner he revealed that he used to play the saxophone? then he said, "that's not me anymore". He regretted his own life choices, and then when confronted with people who made choices to follow their dreams, he was bitter and envious. But of course he had a hard time admitting that, so he hid it behind criticism.
As to the poster who said that Republicans don't like the poor, please don't drag your petty world view into this innocent film.
I find your explanation quite plausible. Very sound in fact. Good understanding of human emotions.
shareHe was angry with himself for giving up on his own dreams--remember at the dinner he revealed that he used to play the saxophone? then he said, "that's not me anymore". He regretted his own life choices, and then when confronted with people who made choices to follow their dreams, he was bitter and envious. But of course he had a hard time admitting that, so he hid it behind criticism.
Simply put, he's an *beep* However, Anthony Edwards added some depth to what could have been an otherwise 2 dimensional character. One of last year's most underrated performances.
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As Juli said when the two families had dinner together: "Mr. Loski was clean and smooth on the outside, but it seemed like there was something rotten buried just beneath the surface."
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Later part of the show actually kinda revealed a bit that he probably had a bad childhood, which forced him to choose a better career out of his interest (music, i would guess).....so probably that made him a little psychologically disturbed.
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SPOILERS
well the book ends with Mrs. Lotski thinking about getting a divorce from her husband.
You're gonna see me in your dreams tonight. My face is gonna haunt you all the time.
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