why did he pass Clive....
The guys father couldn't sue him for slander, that's ridiculous.
i told you not to stop, now lets go - Apocalypse Now
He passed Clive because his desire for the money (and apparent need) outstripped his former forbearance and attempts to maintain his integrity.
I would not belong to any club that would have me as a member. G. Marx
He could have just kept the money and not passed the kid. Like any sensible person would.
i told you not to stop, now lets go - Apocalypse Now
Yes, but as portrayed in this movie, his decision is a turning point for his character. Sort of "No more Mr. Nice Guy."
Even in Larry's dream, using the money came to naught. He uses it to send off his brother, who is immediately shot by the "goy" neighbors. That's his conscience at work.
When he does decide to pass the kid and use the money, there are immediate "celestial" consequences: His X-rays probably contain very bad news, and Danny is about to be wiped out in a tornado... Maybe the daughter, too.
Remember too, Coen brothers movies are best understood as not necessarily happening in our own universe, but one similar to it with important differences.
After all, on Earth, how many Korean boys are named "Clive?"
Youre one of the only people on this board that seems to get this.
shareAddendum upon re-viewing in 2019:
I don't think Danny will be harmed in the tornado. He's about to pay "Fagel" (Yiddish for "fag") and thinks better of it. The juxtaposition of the tornado and Fagel implies HE will be taken and the debt wiped out.
I think his interaction with Marshak supports this. Marshak quoting the Jefferson Airplane would be a good omen to me!
It used to be common (or still might be) for Eastern Asians to adopt an English Christian name (e.g. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan).
shareJust to be clear about Groucho's quote: He said "...would have someone LIKE me as a member." At least, that's what he said in "The Groucho Letters."
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