So it's established that Paterson is a decent fellow. But grown men don't approach little girls who are waiting alone for their ride to come pick them up, no matter how well-intentioned.
shareHe didn't know that she was waiting for her family at first, so he approached her to make sure she was okay. I think at least that part is okay. He probably doesn't see many kids sitting alone and maybe it's not the safest area?
shareso this is what it has come to
so many movies, so little time
I'm fighting the need to combat your inate, deep-seeded combativeness here, and I say that because I have to ask: Why are you even bothering to watch this, let alone comment on it?
You've clearly missed the entire objective of the film. He's only stopping to talk to that girl because he sees her writing and wants to know more. Anything other than that is a tragic misunderstanding of the main character in a character piece. So I reiterate to you, why?
I guess I'm more of a realist, living in NJ, having had to drive through downtown Paterson to get to college (well I didn't have to but it was the fastest route), and reading the news of this crime ridden city every day.
(Edited with today's headline)
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/paterson-press/2017/02/05/teenager-becomes-fourth-person-killed-same-paterson-block-18-months/97515626/
I don't think his intention or behavior was at all inappropriate, but OP is right that some people might see it that way. An old man stopping to watch children in a playground might be recalling the wonder of his own childhood or the wistful memories of his long-grown children, but surely some less wholesome judgments of his intentions could be made. It's sad, but completely understandable. Our fear of the worst of us can alienate even the best of us.
I think he stopped because he was genuinely concerned for the girl and then genuinely curious about her writing. He looks around at the back-alley industrial area she's alone in before he approaches her and it's clear he's somewhat worried about her. Remember the picture on his wife's bedside table? He was a decorated Marine, almost certainly with combat experience. He also risked himself to stop a man from shooting himself in the bar (with what he thought was a real gun at the time). Paterson actually likes people and assumes a guardian role when he thinks they could be hurt. Notice how he shepherded the stranded passengers, especially the children, when his bus broke down. He was in fact trying to make sure nothing "inappropriate" happened to that girl. No doubt, Jarmusch was aware of the ironies involved when he wrote the scene.
If she were my daughter, I'd be grateful someone like Paterson took an interest before someone not like Paterson did.
the op is clearly a terrible human being, who assumes only the worst in people. my advice; talk to strangers, most of them are just fine, if a little boring. like me for example.
shareI like how you framed your inanity as something resembling a universal truth.
[ Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. ]
Yah, totally inappropriate if you are a complete prude. Get a grip already.
š High Their!
It's tragic that things have come to the point where many people share the idiotic belief that it's inappropriate for a grown man to speak to a young girl. He clearly meant her no harm. If I feel like talking to a child, I'll damn well talk to her. I've never hurt anyone in my life, and I don't have any plans to start. If some freak doesn't like it, too bad.
share