MovieChat Forums > The Drop (2014) Discussion > So many unanswered questions

So many unanswered questions

posted 9 years ago by ipsofatso
16 replies | jump to latest

Not a well-knit plot. Why would Marv want Bob to kill the "Glory Days" guy when he had already paid him back his 22,000 and only had a little more than that from his gambling? I presume it had something to do with Marv wanting people to think he was still in debt, but why he would want people to think that I couldn't figure out. Where is the oil tank that contains Glory Days' body? Why did Eric want $10,000 for the dog? How did that tie in to the plot between him and Marv to steal the drop money? How did the Chechan know about Marv's plot? Why did Eric show up again in the first place--was he just out of jail? Why would Nadia, a very smart and cautious girl (as evidenced by her taking and sending a photo of Bob's ID on their first encounter), not change her door lock after her break-up with Eric, or at least after a beaten dog was thrown into her garbage can? Why did Eric imply that he killed Glory Days when he did not? Why did Marv kill with his car (clumsy scene) the other thief he had hired to rob his place the first time? What's with all the concern about telling the cops about the watch, as if it were a facial feature that could not be removed? If Bob's mom was the sister of Marv's sister he was living with that would make him his uncle, not his cousin, right? Was this just to show how ignorant Bob is? How did Bob dispose of Eric's body? Why did the police not look for forensic evidence in the bar, since that was the last place Eric was seen? They would have had no problem finding the blood stains. Why would Bob not talk with Nadia about Eric coming to his place and claiming the dog immediately after it happened?

[–] justwrite3 9 years ago

Lots of questions, but the answers are in the film.

In some cases, it's explained in dialogue, such as why Marv wanted Bob to kill Richie "Glory Days" Whelan -- Bob explains it during the confrontation with Deeds in the bar, just before Bob shoots him. It's a bit convoluted, but it might help if you watch it with closed captioning on. Marv saw Richie Whelan's situation as a "business opportunity" -- Richie paid Marv back $20,000, but no one else knew, so Marv had Bob kill Whelan. The result is that they got to keep the money, while Marv told his bosses that it was a bad debt that wasn't repaid. But because Marv had his own gambling problems, he blew the money, plus more, then lost the bar when the Chechans moved in.

In other situations, it's left for the audience to figure out based on what's shown. For example, Deeds doesn't have a key to Nadia's house -- he breaks in using tools to pick the lock -- so changing the lock wouldn't do any good. He did the same thing to get into Bob's house. He's probably a burglar, so breaking in to houses is just something he knows how to do.

I suggest watching the movie again, and you'll find answers to your questions. It does require paying close attention.

[–] ipsofatso 9 years ago

Thanks, now I understand the shooting of Whelan at least. Still don't understand much about Eric (it is mentioned he was in a psych ward, which would perhaps explain some of his actions, but that is too much of an easy motivation. He doesn't act like he's mentally deficient), or why the police are so incurious (afraid of the Chechan mob?). Not going to watch it again though--the characters are all pretty unappealing, even Bob when you learn he is a cold-blooded killer (especially when you learn that--he always was a little creepy before).

[–] justwrite3 9 years ago

If it didn't grab you enough to watch again, that's fine, but it's a film that requires paying close attention more than most films to catch the details that tie everything together.

I wouldn't say Deeds is mentally deficient, but he had enough mental issues that he ended up in the psych ward at one time, which could be due to a variety of factors. It's common for someone to take "credit" for beating someone up or (as in this case) killing someone. Since no one in the neighborhood took credit for the Whelan killing, Deeds saw it as an opportunity to boost his street cred so that others would be fearful of him and respect him as bad enough to kill somebody. He can then use that fear to intimidate others for profit, as he attempted to do with Bob, by extorting cash over the dog. The dog was almost incidental; it was just a way for Deeds to get money out of someone and use his reputation as Richie Whelan's killer to make his victim afraid to do anything about it. Unfortunately for him, Deeds picked the wrong guy with Bob.

The characters aren't necessarily likeable, but I do find certain aspects of them likeable -- Bob's sense of right and wrong and his loyalty, for example -- and I find many of the characters well-drawn and fascinating. I have more sympathy for Bob than many people do; I don't consider him a cold-blooded killer but instead someone who has learned from his past and wants to live the right way but is forced by circumstances living in a tough neighborhood to defend himself when given no other choice. Deeds back him into a corner, and he wasn't going to open the safe or let Deeds continue to take whatever he wanted from Bob.

Anyway, I know not everyone is going to like this film, but I did. At the least, I hope you could appreciate the acting performances, which were excellent.

[–] Aim-JE 9 years ago

I had quite a few questions after the first time I watched it, so I watched it again, and again, and I liked it more each time. Great performances, especially by Hardy, and a very good story. I still wonder why Bob never takes communion. I think he feels he doesn't deserve to be forgiven for what he did, even though he was probably pushed into it by his "sweet cousin Marv." (Love that line!)
I also found it interesting that Richie was called Glory Days. That's what they should call Marv. He still wants the respect he thought he had a decade ago, but as Bob said, it's over. It has been for a while. There's no way Marv could have held on to the bar as long as he did if Bob hadn't cleaned up after him.

"Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"

[–] justwrite3 9 years ago

I still wonder why Bob never takes communion. I think he feels he doesn't deserve to be forgiven for what he did, even though he was probably pushed into it by his "sweet cousin Marv." (Love that line!)

You've got it right regarding why Bob doesn't take communion. At one point, we even hear his internal monologue about how the devil is just waiting for certain people who have no hope for redemption, or if there is no devil, that God will turn those people away from heaven. Bob accepts his fate over his killing of Richie Whelan, and he thinks both that he is unworthy to accept communion and also that his sin is so egregious that there is no point in taking communion to try to gain forgiveness.

I also found it interesting that Richie was called Glory Days. That's what they should call Marv.

Nice observation. I hadn't noticed that, but there are parallels like that throughout the story -- the broken angel to both Bob and Nadia, for example -- and considering how detailed Dennis Lehane is as a writer, I wouldn't be surprised if the Glory Days-Marv connection was intentional. Just an example of how a carefully constructed, rich story reveals additional details on repeated viewing.

[–] KutWrite (1334) 8 years ago

I agree... Nicely stated.

One other thought I had was that God is ready to forgive Bob. I think He nudged Bob & Nadia together so they could both find forgiveness together. (Nadia for her poor choices and what she tried to do to herself).

I'm sure I'll watch this again & probably read the story, too.

[–] iamtherealbg 9 years ago

The viewer is told that Eric was in a psych ward but it is not to emphasize that he is crazy it is to explain later in the movie that he was there when Wheelin (Glory Days) was killed so he couldn't have been the one to do it. It's sort of this "surprise" as Bob explains things to him just before he pops him. And the cop that is trying to find Wheelin's killer finds this out about half-way through the movie but doesn't relate it until the end when he is talking to Bob. His last lines are: "No one ever sees you coming, do they, Bob?"

[–] pinokiyo 9 years ago

The oil tank is in bob's basement. The chechans would clean up after the mess.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ipsofatso 9 years ago

That's Ipso, idiot.

[–] richieprimo 9 years ago

Very observant of you, fatso... now do what I suggested and watch the film again - WITH audio!!

[–] ipsofatso 9 years ago

Sure, when you learn to read.

[–] KutWrite (1334) 8 years ago

Gee, I thought your handle was funny.

[–] aaarrrzzz 9 years ago

Read the post that has title like Birdman. "Idiot's guide to The Drop" or the "Drop for Dummy's." That comment nails every point of contention in this movie distilled in one post. Should have had a less snarky title to it.

[–] Jester2000154113 8 years ago

Most of this was actually answered in the movie.

Why would Marv want Bob to kill the "Glory Days" guy when he had already paid him back his 22,000 and only had a little more than that from his gambling? I presume it had something to do with Marv wanting people to think he was still in debt, but why he would want people to think that I couldn't figure out.

Marv was in debt from gambling problems. He had Richie killed so Richie couldn't reveal to anyone that Marv pocketed the money instead of collecting it for the mob like he was supposed to.

Where is the oil tank that contains Glory Days' body?

In Bob's basement. We see it when he goes downstairs with Rocco in one scene.

Why did Eric want $10,000 for the dog?

Because he saw Bob was attached to the dog and thought he could shake him down for money.

How did that tie in to the plot between him and Marv to steal the drop money?

It didn't, directly. Marv found out about Eric harassing Bob for money and came to him with a mutually advantageous deal where Eric would get the money he wanted by robbing the bar for Marv.

Why did Eric imply that he killed Glory Days when he did not?

To increase his street cred and make himself sound bad-ass.

Why did Marv kill with his car (clumsy scene) the other thief he had hired to rob his place the first time?

To tie up a loose end whom he didn't need anymore.

How did Bob dispose of Eric's body?

The Chechens came and removed it.

Why did the police not look for forensic evidence in the bar, since that was the last place Eric was seen? They would have had no problem finding the blood stains.

There wouldn't be blood stains after Bob and the Chechens meticulously cleaned the crime scene...it's not like they just left it there on the floor.

my movie review website: http://www.jestersreviews.com

[–] KutWrite (1334) 8 years ago

Yes, very good.

I thought, though, that Marv engineered the $10k for the dog. Remember, just the scene before, he tells Deeds that he might be able to help Marv.

Reason? Marv thought it would bring Bob into the robbery plot, by coming over to ask Marv for the $10k. Marv could tell him "Well, there IS a way you can earn the money." He knew Bob was capable of such feats & maybe even would kill Deeds for Marv.

Bob did come over, but surprised Marv by warning him not to do it, instead.

That was Marv's last chance at redemption. He didn't take it & reaped the consequences.