MovieChat Forums > Cheap Thrills (2014) Discussion > A nice metaphor in a way...SPOILERS

A nice metaphor in a way...SPOILERS

posted 11 years ago by imdbstuff1941
9 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if creators are aware or was it their intention from the get go (or they just aimed to create a nice criminal/thriller), but they created a perfect metaphor of how one's spirit or soul could be corrupted beyond recognition while pursuing material things (in this movie - money/wealth). Just a couple of observations:
- The beginning and the end - Craig holds his child (a pure being if you wish), who is happily laughing at his dad in the beginning (as it is still Craig) and cries from the mere sight of him in the end (as it is a shadow of what his dad was). Even his wife looks at him as if thinking "That isn't my husband."
- The scene where Craig puts the money after killing his old friend with the slide show on the wall behind his back. On the slides he is still Craig - a normal human being. And at the same time we are shown what that human being has turned into - a monster (even sort of physically via mutilation and a beating). He is changed for the rest of his life. Craig is spiritually dead.
- Also the odd rich pair could be considered as devil and god or something. You know doing the usual devil/god thing... fighting for the human soul, looking how low can it fall or untempted at all.

Yeah, of course I get it that child could be stressed from waking up and wife is just in shock, and the rich couple could be just a pair of shmucks, but bear with me here :) Riches are obtained through myriad of skeletons in the closet (the pair obviously has their own and now Craig obtained his first one).

All in all a decent flick. Reminds me of Divide a bit.

[–] therefdotcom 11 years ago

as i mentioned many times: some people are willing to interpret everything into everything.

"laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone." - Dae-su Oh

[–] Bad-Jet413 11 years ago

I totally agree with you imdbstuff1941. I think one of the films intentions is to show how far people will go for money, wealth and pride. As you said the soul can become corrupted and what may have started with good intentions can end with very bad results.

One of the things I love about the movie is how they showed Craig and Vince transition. Craig, who started out meek and insecure becomes vishish and more heartless while Vince becomes more insecure and ends up sparing Craigs life (even though he was still brutal in some of his actions). I love the scene wher Craig is telling off Vince about how he never amounted to anything and he's a loser. The Vince replys with telling him how he tries to act holy and right yet just cheated on his wife and did all these things so whose really messed up?

As far as the rich couple I dont see them as God/devil. They both seem to get off on the sick joke. This is not their first time doing somthing like this. If they were to make a sequel it should be about another couple who gets wrapped up in their game. That would be cool. I enjoyed it.

There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra.

[–] bing-57 11 years ago

> I totally agree with you imdbstuff1941. I think one of the films intentions is to show how far people will go for money, wealth and pride. As you said the soul can become corrupted and what may have started with good intentions can end with very bad results.

Yet, take into account that the guys were stoned and drunk for most of the movie. People that are too drunk can't understand what they are doing nor do they have the ability to make rational choices. Had they been sober, they might not have done too many of the things shown in the movie.

For example, I can't imagine anyone that would cut off a finger for $25k or $15k. Craig said that he could have it sewn on for $6k. Hah! Fat chance with hospitals these days. It would be more like $150k to sew it back together.

This would have been a whole different movie if the guys were sober.

--
What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?

[–] Halbermensch999 11 years ago

The rich couple present the fact that they can do pretty much anything with money and connections.

The true golden rule, those with the money make the rules.

"I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half."
Jay Gould, railroad magnate, before the 1886 strike on his Southwestern system

[–] missred 11 years ago

It's basicly a metaphor for the 99% and the 1% and also how everything's corrupted in this world and that money can buy you ANYTHING but true love or care.

I also loved how they portrayed vince like this careless and cowardly *beep* but when it came to the nitty gritty he was the way more likeable character.

I don't know the truth about Sep 11th. What I know is that the official version isn't the truth.

[–] RoachGirl 11 years ago

I think you might be reading a bit too much into it, but I do somewhat agree with the first thing you mentioned. The baby was happy and cooing at the beginning, but couldn't stop crying and screeching when he arrived home at the end.

"When death sleeps, it dreams of me."

[–] justin40580 11 years ago

hey Roach girl....are you dead girl? referencing your quote

From dream to dream....we have always been, like an ever flowing stream....

[–] RoachGirl 11 years ago

Oh no, I've been caught! Haha, I tweaked the lyric a little.

"When death sleeps, it dreams of me."

[–] justin40580 11 years ago

Thought so!