MovieChat Forums > Cleveland Abduction (2015) Discussion > Gina and Amanda Close With Each Other bu...

Gina and Amanda Close With Each Other but Not With Michelle??

posted 10 years ago by MixSwiss
21 replies | jump to latest

Both Gina and Amanda share that common aspect that they had family. Family that was searching for them relentlessly. Michelle had no one.. No one even reported her missing.. It's sad both Gina and Amanda are not close with Michelle and don't talk.. You would think someone like Michelle would need that more so because she had basically no family and did not have her son.. Crazy how at the end of the movie Gina told Michelle they can't be close yet she has a book and doing interviews with Amanda... It's kinda sad that jealousy Castro put in motion in the house ended up living on outside of the house.. Be nice to see all three girls stand tall together..

[–] sweetheart_509 10 years ago

I too think it's sad that Gina and Amanda seem estranged from Michelle, but I could understand if they all went their separate ways so as not to be reminded of the past.

[–] ofuoku71 10 years ago

It's sad to not see all three of them together. I guess we will never know their reasons for separating themselves from her.

[–] bandimal 10 years ago

I'm not sure whether the scene with Gina and Michelle at the end actually happened in real life. But according to interviews, the dude played Amanda and Michelle against each other.

Joshua 1:9 ... unashamed.

[–] Gordon_Gartrelle 10 years ago

But why does it seem like Gina is siding with Amanda when her and Michelle were stuck together upstairs?

I don't let anyone hot-comb out my HAIRitage!

[–] bandimal 10 years ago

The movie is based on Michelle's perspective and I can't speak to her viewpoint because I don't know her personally. I don't know if that scene at the lagoon ever took place. What I can tell you is that it seems like Michelle has a much different personality than Gina and Amanda, and the fact that she had a completely different life than they did (family situation and all) leads me to think that they just don't agree on everything (including how to approach their new lives). Just because they were in captivity together for so long doesn't mean that they were or became best friends forever.

Joshua 1:9 ... unashamed.

[–] Critic_For_Life 10 years ago

Sad also to see Michelle Knight part ways with Amanda and Gina- they endured so much together for so long. I noticed that Michelle never engaged in some type of parting conversation (the park) with Amanda like with Gina; but then Michelle and Gina did share more time together. We will never know what it was like to endure what these poor girls did - I'm sure they departed amicably based on their own terms. One has to respect their wishes and privacy.

[–] roses888 10 years ago

Something happened after they were released that forced the girls to have a ongoing estrangement. Michelle and Gina shared a room all those years when they were captive so they were close then. But now it's Amanda and Gina that are close. I don't think it's because Gina and Amanda had family and Michelle didn't. Why would that matter?
I believe there was some resentment because Michelle felt Amanda was treated better than she was when they were captive. Castro was playing them against each other, too. They don't actually say what the problem was or is as to why they don't speak anymore, so we have to speculate.
Maybe some day they will tell us the reason.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MixSwiss 10 years ago

That's what puzzled me as well... Michelle and Gina were stuck in a room together for like 8 years.. How she ended up closer to Amanda is strange.. But both Amanda and Gina have admitted they were treated better.. Gina said on 20/20 she was treated the best.. so maybe there is some resentment with Michelle.. Goes to show, like I said earlier that plan Castro set in motion for these girl to not like each other still going on today.. I'm not saying they have to be best of friends but at least stand together as one.. don't let Castro win...

[–] Katiedidd 10 years ago

Edit: duplicate post

[–] Katiedidd 10 years ago

...so maybe there is some resentment with Michelle.

Curiously, the way Michelle told it to Dr. Phil last year, it was Gina deciding to distance herself from Michelle. Michelle made it sound like she respects Gina's decision and is giving her her space.

In watching the BBC docu-special about this case, I was surprised to learn that after they were rescued, Michelle stayed with Gina at Gina's parent's house. Certainly, that was meant to be temporary, and it definitely was, as Michelle ended up staying for months at a hospice place because she had no where to go. However, to go from staying with Gina to now being away from both Gina and Amanda--while those two have banded together on the outside--is curious.

[–] Tracey73 10 years ago

I was curious about this, also. I could understand if all of them wanted to part ways as a way to not remind each other for the hell they all went through, but I was surprised that it seems like two of the three have bonded much more than all three of the. Whatever happened, they are very courageous young women.

The beauty is I'm learning how to face my beast ~ Blue October

[–] bossat2822 10 years ago

I just watched the movie. There seems to be some animosity, perhaps jealously over the fact that Castro chose to have Ginas baby and aborted Michelle's children. Not only was Michelle unable to be her son, she had to endure the killings of her other babies and watch someone else become a mother. Of course, Gina was a mom other those wretched conditions, but she still had someone to love and love her back unconditionally. Castro even snapped the puppies neck.

[–] randolem 10 years ago

I believe it was amanda that had a baby not gina...

[–] Katiedidd 10 years ago

I just posted this info above, but Michelle really seems to be the one to not be deciding to distance herself from the other two. That is what she has conveyed anyway. She's said it kindly and with no bitterness. That doesn't mean it's true--it could just be her perception--but I'd tend to think that's the case. In no way do I blame Amanda and Gina for disconnecting from Michelle though. We'll never know what has caused this. I can't help feel badly for Michelle, however.

And yes, it was Amanda, the second kidnapped, who had the child. Gina and Michelle were mostly put together, and Michelle even stayed at Gina's parents' house when the girls were rescued. I'm not sure exactly when the disconnect began to take place. Michelle was on her own originally when speaking out, but that appeared to have more to do with her being more comfortable talking about her ordeal, while it took the other girls more time to be willing to share theirs. I don't know if this has anything to do with Michelle seeming to be discnnected from the Amanda and Gina now as they're clearly united.

It seems Michelle has a great group of close supporters, but I can't help but feel sorry for her all over again that she seems alone while Amanda and Gina are comfortable with uniting to write a book, share the same legal counsel, and do interviews together. As an outsider, I'm trying not to read too much into why two are together and the third girl seems cut off. I just hope all three are able to live good lives from here on out and continue to have good support systems.

[–] roses888 10 years ago

If you read Amanda's book you would understand that Castro played Amanda against Michelle.

[–] Katiedidd 10 years ago

Right. I know this. I'm talking about Gina's and Michelle's dynamic though, not Amanda's and Michelle's. Maybe Gina does feel she can relate more with Amanda for reasons people have stated (and also for things we'll never know).

[–] Buffyfan92 10 years ago

Obviously I don't know for sure why Gina seems to be closer to Amanda now but here is my theory: Gina and Michelle spent the majority of their captivity chained together in the same room. Both Michelle and Gina mentioned in their books that Castro would rape them while they were chained together and that it was just as tramatic watching the other being raped as it was being raped themselves. So maybe Gina distanced herself from Michelle because her presence just brings back too many bad memories. Amanda and Gina were kept seperate most of the time so maybe she just feels more comfortable around Amanda now. Just my theory.

It can also be that Amanda and Gina could relate more to eachother because their familes were looking for them and supporting eachother while they were missing, and Amanda and Gina are closer in age etc...

[–] Katiedidd 10 years ago

I thought I replied to you before, but I guess not. I agree with your theories. It really could be that, early on after being freed, Michelle and Gina felt solice together, but after some time passed, what they experienced together could have begun to haunt Gina and/or Michelle. Also yes, Gina and Amanda were kidnapped later, similar ages, and with were very publicly being searched for while Michelle was forgotten.

There are many understandable reasons why Gina and Amanda are "more together" in recent timed without Michelle. I am still hesitant to delve so much into "the whys" because I don't want to seem disrespectful toward their choices. I will never understand what it is like to be these brave survivors.

[–] movieinsider411 10 years ago

I find it horrible especially since it looks like Michelle was trying to protect Amanda and Gina when they were held captive. And Michelle delivered Amanda's baby. I would think that would bring them closer. It just looked like Gina and Amanda were just thinking about taking care of themselves whereas Michelle wanted to take care of everyone.

[–] tabby062106 10 years ago

Its my understand that Gina and Michelle were kept together and they grew close. It was even said that Gina's family took Michelle in. I think what it is that monster's mind games and how he always threw in Michelle's face that no one was looking for her or cared about her.