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Russaria66 (1)
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The most hilarious thing about this thread is the knee jerk reactions of these str8 plp acting like the very thought of any subtext is ludicrous. How "Sensitive" they are lol. The fact that anyone with a history as a film buff, collector or aficionado would be perfectly within the realm of reason to wonder. There is WAY more in this film than just the living room scene that could lead any reasonable film buff to wonder if there was any subtext or intentional "let them wonder" motives of those involved with the film. Let's take a look at a few RATIOINAL "things that make you go humm" moments. Though we find out about his single life, history and loneliness, as well as his admitted ostracization and feelings of not belonging to "the world" around him near the end, in the Living Room scene. Let's take a look at a few other well placed statements.
Sam Wood comments in the diner when offered pie by the cook that "the chief likes his boys streamlined, ain't that right Chief?" With a notorious grin on his face.
To which the chief responds with "Why don't you shut up Sam".
In the Chief's office when Delores is being forced to tell her "FALSE" story about Sam Wood being the father of her current situation by her brother. She looks up at the Chief and says "He's got a nice face, don't ya think Chief?"...with the most "I know a secret" smirk and facial expression that it just REEKS of small town gossip and accusation. His answer of course is to frost face ignore it and move on quickly with his response of "so he stopped".
That's just 2, + knowing the facts as a film buff that the 40's through the 70's was so littered with sub-text and innuendo about every taboo subject under the sun, and one of those big ones was being Gay. (Not to mention a myriad of other issues, actions and subjects). If you add all of this together ANY rational film buff, whether they think it is or is not, would admit that, sure, there was certainly some "left in the dark, up to the viewer" undertones in this film. Even Virgil was kept vague when asked by the chief had he ever been married, or had he even been close...all Virgil says is "close". Something many Gays in the decades before now had to think of their long term relationships as, "Close" to being married. I'm not saying either of them are closeted, I am saying there is plenty left open to WONDER about and to even inject if YOU feel it makes the movie more relatable for YOU. It IS open to interpretation. Most rational people aren't afraid of that.
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