People like Beth

Either way it is heartbreaking. I am not sure how it would have played out since Conrad already knew how Beth felt. It might be a relief for him hearing the truth. All of those buried emotions are sometimes worse, because they are so emotionally exhausting. They say the truth will set you free, so maybe things would have improved after some time.

I think that's one truth that would not set anyone free. I think if she were to express that to Conrad it would only serve as an added impediment to their chance at a loving relationship. Conrad would always think that he is being loved by default and that if Buck were still alive she wouldn't give him the time of day. And he might be right.

They showed one scene in the beginning of the movie where Beth and Conrad tried to have a pleasant conversation with each other. Beth was wearing a brown suede jacket and she went outside to advise Conrad to put on a coat (or sweater) if he was going to relax on the patio furniture at that time of year. The two ended up having an awkward conversation mainly because they weren't taking the time to wait and listen to the other person or remember what the other just said. I always thought that the effort was there and that with practice they would end up not only loving but liking each other. They just needed practice. Sadly, with Beth leaving for Houston at the end of the movie, they may never get that chance.

@ BaconYouth- Can people like that change? The answer is NO. Beth is a classic NARCISSIST. You see this time and time again in the movie and she even answers Donald Sutherland when he asks her-can't you see how see how things in any other way other than how it affects YOU? and she says NO, I can't. And again in the scene where she is badgering him to take them all to London for Christmas-she even says when asked, why do they need to go? She answers first by saying, "Because I wanna get away"-like HELLO??? She can't see how broken her son is??? She will never change-and I think part of Conrad's struggle is one, learning to accept this and two, realizing that she will never love him like he needs to be loved.

I knew throughout my childhood that my parents preferred my younger brother to me, and that after he died they would rather it had been me, instead. Once I was the default son, they turned some of the warmth my way, but the truth was always in the background. They never completely got over feeling the way they did, and I never completely got over the resentment. Favoritism must be nearly impossible for a parent to avoid. I'm glad I never had kids.