MovieChat Forums > The Deer Hunter (1979) Discussion > Always wondered things about Michael...

Always wondered things about Michael...

posted 14 years ago by puplover
55 replies | jump to latest

Firstly, he is SO strong (considering) before, during, and after his war experience. Especially during the russian roulette, HE was the strongest. I'm not saying he was fine after this, but, you think they were just showing how different people react to a trauma? He took on the role of "saving" everyone, maybe that's how he coped. I just wonder why he was so relatively together. Comments?

Also, PLEASE don't give me hell for this, because I have thought this for YEARS; way before it became the secret du jour in movies: I think Michael was in love w/ Walken, not Linda. It was implied when they were hunting (Stan says, "I've set him up a million times, he never scored"). And his being w/ Linda was a strong caring for her but she was his closest connection to Walken. I don't even know if Michael was conscious of this per sey: I think he knew he had stronger than brotherly feelings for Walken and perhaps just let them be there.

Also, he's the only one w/o a girl in any way throughout the whole movie, if anyone notices. It's not as if he was SOO in love w/ Linda that he was saving himself; that would be ridiculous. I think Cimino put that in there as a subtle aspect to the character. Also, I know Walken asked him to "not let him die over there", but don't you think he would have had SOME trepidation about going back to that horrible place? Therefore, he had to be REALLY motivated to go back there and get Walken. That's also why I think it's more love than friendship. Love makes you risk your life and do anything. He wasn't willing to do that for Stevie (remember he said to Walken "forget him, he's dead").

Okay, so please no hate mail, I hope/wonder if anyone ever even thought the same thing? I'm not saying I'm right, I'm saying that's what I saw. And I'm a straight female, not that that matters, tho. Thanks!

[–] v_worden 12 years ago

In the director's commentary, Cimino states with such passion that there is "nothing sexual! it's ridiculous!" between Michael and Nick – while repeating the word "love" over and over – that I believe it's safest just to believe him.

[–] soozywilmott 11 years ago

I have only seen this film once, and I must admit I didnt really pick up any indications of Michael being gay, but it would explain to me one of the two things I didn't really understand about this film.

Why is it ok to leave Stevie in the rat infested waters in Vietnam, but its not ok to leave Nick? Michael was willing to dump poor old Stevie and leave him to die, but he willingly goes all the way back to look for Nick. I dont get it. They are supposed to have a deep bond, be like brothers etc, but there is clear favouritism going on here. It would make sense if they actually were brothers, but as far as I could tell, Michael and Nick werent related to each other at all.

So now I need to watch the film again and assume Michael is IN love with Nick and see if that explains why the two friends receive such different treatment in similar circumstances.

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

"Michael willing to dump poor old Stevie and leave him to die".

Yes, and he demonstrated such a willingness by jumping back into the river when Steve couldn`t hold on to the helicopter that would have flown Mike to safety - because he knew Steve wouldn`t survive alone. The last we see of Steve in Nam, is when Mike - after having carried him on his back for god knows how long - loads him onto some car which apparently takes him to a hospital.

Also, how exactly would Mike being gay and in love with Nick reasonably explain his alleged callousness towards Steve? Gays only care about their lovers and have zero empathy for anyone else?

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] soozywilmott 11 years ago

OK so now I REALLY need to watch this film again because I don't remember that part at all about the helicopter. I clearly recall Mike and Nick having a conversation and Mike saying they should leave Stevie, and me thinking it was odd because if it had been the other way around I don't think he would have discussed leaving him as an option.

But if I'm right (and now Im seriously doubting I am) why would he talk about leaving him there, only to later jump out of a helicopter to save him?

I'm quite confused now, and I don't have this film on dvd to watch it again.

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

Perhaps I should also watch it again because I don`t really remember such a conversation where Mike says they should cut off Steve. But I suppose under extreme stress, he and Nick may have indeed contemplated leaving Steve behind. The important part though is that they didn`t and Mike saved his life.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] djfrancophilippe 11 years ago

I didn't see that at all, I just saw a loner. Quiet and reflective, the typical anti-hero of that era.

[–] bccct 11 years ago

I haven't read every post here, so forgive me if I repeat something somebody else said. To me, one of the most important scenes in the whole movie was when Mike and Linda are talking at the wedding reception, and he abruptly twists his head and sort of lunges at her as if he's going to kiss her on the mouth, but he doesn't go through with it...he pulls back. Looks like pretty clear evidence that he loves Linda, and thinks she's his one and only--none of Stan's bimbos interest him at all. Yes, he's got an amazing friendship with Nick, which probably kept him from actually kissing Linda. But gay? Naw.

[–] rochelle-rochelle 11 years ago

Gay sexual undertones in The Deer Hunter?! Please.

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I'm not IN danger, I AM danger!
Breaking Bad

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] umiryuzaki26 10 years ago

He was clearly sexually attracted by Linda, but I think it was also pretty clear his feelings for Nick were stronger. I can definitely see him being "in love" with Nicky, if only in a platonic way or not fulling realizing the true nature of his feelings. He and Nick were kindred spirits, nobody understood him better, and I fully believe he would have left everything for Nick - including Linda. If that's not love, I don't know what it is.

[–] keyser_soze_smokes 10 years ago

The Gay Hunter, Soon In Theaters. 😨

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🐋 Doggy dolphins? 💅Erection?

[–] furious_georgina 10 years ago

This has gone way off topic from the OP's questions but I always thought Michael was just one of those guys who reacted well with danger. Fight or flight and he definitely went for flight! We see the first scene of Vietnam and Nick and Stevie met Michael and he didn't even recognise them...he is in full commando survivor mode.

As for Linda, its blatantly obvious from the very beginning of the movie that Michael is in love with Linda. He wants to kiss her at the wedding, he looks at the picture of her longingly when he comes back to the motel from Vietnam, that scene when he's at the bowling alley and he's looking at her. If Linda hadn't been with Nick he would have been with her himself.

He want back to get Nick because they were best friends and he had made a promise to him. He's a real gentleman.

What happens in the meadow at dusk? NOTHING!, EVERYTHING!

[–] keyser_soze_smokes 10 years ago

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🐋 Doggy dolphins? 💅Erection?

[–] augustine-zairemtluanga3 9 years ago

haha...so ridiculous that some people think like that.I bet De Niro would be furious if they told him he was gay in the deer hunter

[–] matt72582 9 years ago

I've read so much garbage and speculation. Some people for their own ulterior motive want everything to be gay, either because they want to affirm themselves, or they want to discredit him because of his sexual proclivities. From the beginning without any dialogue, you can see Michael is interested in Linda (remember the not-so-attractive woman sitting down, thinking Michael is looking at her instead).

When Mike comes back, Linda keeps asking about Nick. He's still interested in her (he obviously waited to get her alone). I think he feels a little bit of guilt that he made it, and Nick didn't. Nick and Linda were engaged, also. Mike even says, "I know how much you love him" - and later when he walking her to work he seems to be saying "I don't mind being your second choice" - he can't finish his thoughts, he's a shy guy. And the Stan setting him up part doesn't do anything but reinforce him being sort of a loner. Even during the first hunt, Mike tells Nick that he's the only guy he really respects. "Don't get me wrong, I love them guys to deaths, but they are all a$$holes.. I just don't like surprises."

Also, he just came from hell, I don't think sex was on his mind, especially considering his personality before the war, and then after due to many circumstances. He even says "I feel distant, far away" - remember he tells Linda that he did NOT see Nick, when in fact, he did. He saw him in that Russian Roulette game when Nick went AWOL.

[–] guccipix 9 years ago

He did love Nick, but I don't think there was any sexual connotation. He wanted his friend back, and wanted things to feel like they used to back at home.

Having an opinion can save your life. Just ask Marvin.