MovieChat Forums > The Immigrant (2014) Discussion > Movie pissed me off (MAJOR SUPREME SPOIL...

Movie pissed me off (MAJOR SUPREME SPOILERS)

posted 10 years ago by moviegurl16
12 replies | jump to latest

First off, I like bleak films, some of them are my most favorite. BUT one character in particular I feel was simply used as a ploy to tug at the audience's heartstrings. And that character was Emile (Orlando).

We see Ewa suffer so much in an unknown world, feel helpless when abandoned by her family and be put in a horrifying position just to get her sister out.

Emile's character was not needed. In he comes, all magical hoping to be someone to whisk her away to some sort of life better than being a woman of the night.

He's nice and promises to take her sister out, go to california, in this film, he looks like an angel in my opinion not really romancing Ewa because I felt she just liked him but not in a romantic way but romancing the audience more. His purpose was solely to romance us or me, the viewer. His sudden death was just like killing her savior because the director wanted Ewa and the audience to suffer but the audience to suffer a little bit more.

Some on here have said that he would've probably used her and dumped her but we are never certain because we never know if he would've kept his promise and if he had, it probably would've been a better life than being a prostitute. What did happen to that seamstress job she was promised anyway by Bruno?

Some on here have said he showed his true colors at the mind telling scene but I felt he only used her for the magic trick to get to know her because he knew nothing about her at all only hellos and goodbyes because Bruno kept her from him. I felt he genuinely felt something for her, possibly love but I feel some on this board don't believe that that was a possibility in that time or it doesn't exist and the world is full of horrible men.

The director should've cut Emile and have a priest or someone else save her instead of an audience romancer. Or none at all to show abuse women had to deal with in the 1920s.

[–] TxMike 10 years ago

What you suggest is a totally different movie. And one which would not been as interesting. Emil was important to show Bruno's full colors, and to highlight his struggles as well. It is a complex dynamic, I suggest you give it more thought and try to see it from the filmmakers' perspective, and understand why they thought Emil was essential. They don't just throw in characters for no purpose.

Your comments make me wonder if you really DO enjoy bleak movies. Perhaps if you would give a couple of examples!?

TxMike
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] the_Poppuns 10 years ago

Some on here have said that he would've probably used her and dumped her but we are never certain because we never know if he would've kept his promise and if he had, it probably would've been a better life than being a prostitute.

He was a total screw up. Disaster followed him everywhere. He's the type of guy that gets you into trouble no matter what. He could have had the best of intentions but it would have been ruin for her.

[–] Felixthecat34213 9 years ago

He was a total screw up. Disaster followed him everywhere. He's the type of guy that gets you into trouble no matter what. He could have had the best of intentions but it would have been ruin for her.

I don't think he ever had good intentions, let alone the best. Emil was just as bad as Bruno, if not worse. The only difference between the two is that Emil is more charming and comes off as more likable. In reality, Emil is a liar (lies about giving up gambling and drinking), manipulative (manipulates Ewa so he can get back at Bruno), gambler and a drunk.

[–] BrunoAntony 10 years ago

Never watch La Strada.

[–] Felixthecat34213 9 years ago

Some on here have said he showed his true colors at the mind telling scene but I felt he only used her for the magic trick to get to know her because he knew nothing about her at all only hellos and goodbyes because Bruno kept her from him. I felt he genuinely felt something for her, possibly love but I feel some on this board don't believe that that was a possibility in that time or it doesn't exist and the world is full of horrible men.

I'm not convinced he was in love with her. I genuinely believed he was intrigued by her, but that's as far as it went. One thing that did it for me was actually his introduction to her. He says what every man says, "You're beautiful" as he gives her a flower. I couldn't help but feel as if it lacked something genuine about it. What Ewa needs to hear is that she's more than just beautiful, every man calls her that. They lust after her. Bruno on the other hand called her special when he initially met her. Obviously he was not a well man...but this suggested something deep about his feelings, something other than just lust. Something that Emil lacked.

The director should've cut Emile and have a priest or someone else save her instead of an audience romancer. Or none at all to show abuse women had to deal with in the 1920s.

A priest? This sounds like a Spencer Tracy movie, not bleak at all!

I have to agree with TxMike on this one. There is something pivotal to the plot and to the character development of Bruno and Ewa about the whole murder scene and plot. Bruno had obviously been taunted by Emil throughout their lives. The way he flies off the handle anytime he's around, the way he cowers in fear like a pathetic child when Emil takes his gun.

I think both Bruno and Emil are sociopaths to an extent, but Emil seemed better at hiding it. They're mirrors of each other in a way.

[–] creegah-3 9 years ago

"The way he flies off the handle anytime he's around, the way he cowers in fear like a pathetic child when Emil takes his gun."

Cowers in fear? Really? If he was cowering in fear he would have said what Emil demanded. But he didn't. I guess we saw different movies.

[–] Felixthecat34213 9 years ago

Cowers in fear? Really? If he was cowering in fear he would have said what Emil demanded. But he didn't. I guess we saw different movies.

Obviously you saw a more simplistic version of it.

What difference would it have made if he said anything? Emil was taunting him with a gun that he believed was loaded.

[–] creegah-3 9 years ago

Watch it again. Pay attention this time.

[–] Felixthecat34213 9 years ago

Watch it again. Pay attention this time.

I think you're the one who needs to pay attention...and stop arguing with me.

[–] agentalbert (3082) 10 days ago

I think both Bruno and Emil are sociopaths to an extent, but Emil seemed better at hiding it. They're mirrors of each other in a way.

I got this impression too. I know he's presented as a nicer alternative to Bruno, but I think it's likely he is just as much trouble. We don't see all his troubles, they're alluded to from the past (the story Bruno tells about Emil bringing the woman to the theater, Emil having to leave due to his drinking/gambling, etc). Then there is the California trip that blows up right away when Emil has a falling out with some business partner. At least according to him, but I don't buy that he's just sooooooo enamored with Ewa and really wants to help her. He knows its trouble for her if Bruno sees him there, but he comes out to taunt Bruno, pushing buttons making Bruno think Emil and Ewa have been together. It makes me think Emil has always tormented Bruno in some way. Emil is the only one who says they used to be close and that Bruno changed. Could be just pure deflection on his part when trying to explain to Ewa why Bruno hates him so much.

To the OP's point, I completely disagree that the story shouldn't have had Emil.

[–] neptunewaves (75) 6 years ago

From a storytelling viewpoint, Emil role was crucial to advance and shed light on Bruno's character arc, not Eva's.

I highly doubt we were ever supposed to see him as Eva's savior, too. Right after Bruno talk about Emil issues with gambling and drinking (notice the brothel patron didn't contradict him), we are told Bruno got him his one stable job - and he loses a lucrative tour in a matter of days by fighting the promoters. THEN he shows up again at Eva's window with promises that basically amount to pipe dreams, betting their future on GAMBLING. Was he really willing to bet Magda's recovery - for which Eva has already given up so much - on sheer luck? He just didn't seem to grasp (or care about) the direness of Eva's predicament at all.

Moreso, even if Emil was truly smitten with Eva (and I believe he was) - do you really think he would have changed his ways for a woman he knew for a few days? His knight in shining armor act was all smoke and mirrors.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6349) 2 years ago

I think he represents Hope. In a bleak movie you need some of that, even if you are going to dash it in the end.