MovieChat Forums > Moon Over Parador (1988) Discussion > Missing details

Missing details

posted 16 years ago by luccastrel
8 replies | jump to latest

I always wondered that during the part that Roberto and Jack are in the meat locker after Simms died, Roberto gives Jack a makeup case saying that it belonged to "Liano Boule, the most famous actor in Parador. He died about twenty minutes ago". Did he mean that:

a) The late Simms was already an actor called Liano Boule? (this seems to be hinted when he mentioned that Simms wore a wig and platforms)

b) Liano Boule was murdered as Roberto's henchmen took the makeup case from him?

It seems to me that this was never resolved.

[–] theluke92 16 years ago

a) The late Simms was already an actor called Liano Boule
Remember later in the movie when the staff discussed that it wasn't the real Dictator? They accepted it as if it wasn't the first time. Even Roberto, who set it all up to keep the "Fourteen Families in power", died with these words," I hate actors." Actors, plural, denoting he had worked with more than one.
Besides, Liano Boule, the previous Dictator, died from "drinking too many Pumas".

[–] kgdag 15 years ago

It would be funnier if Roberto's henchmen killed the actor just for his makeup case.

[–] mangoman1 12 years ago

Actually, I disagree with some of that, since it depends heavily on even more assumptions than a simpler explanation does. There's just not enough detail given in the flick to firmly support some implications, & in a case like that Occam's Razor is usually the best rule of thumb -- all other things being equal, go with the simplest explanation.

Example -- Early in the film we're shown repeatedly that Roberto had admiration, at times even gushing adoration for actors (even being just as mercurial himself as they're sometimes known for). Consequently when things go suddenly & fatally south for him, it's not at all surprising that his attitude would flip just as instantaneously. Also, when the staff are discussing how to handle the situation, they appear surprised & don't act at all as though they're used to this as even semi-routine.

The conversational things like Roberto's dying comment seem to be just for that moment, not particularly for solid tie-in to anything specifically previous or following. It may make for headaches & frustration for those who feel continuity is ne plus ultra, but for those who feel that excruciating precision & exactitude get in the way of the flick's purpose as entertainment, the way it is is probably "good enough." :)

[–] rizdek 12 years ago

I always assumed there was a separate person, the actor, Liano Boule who his henchmen killed to get the makeup case. Reason...I assumed Simms had died longer ago than 20 minutes. I think it would take more than 20 minutes for him to 1) decide to find Jack, 2) figure out where he was and 3) go get him and bring him back. Plus, I think the point they were putting in the plot at that time was that Roberto was capable of murder to accomplish his goals...ie to scare Jack into doing it. It made his threats that "you will do this or I will kill you," more realistic.

But I admit I had never thought of the other angle, i.e. that Simms himself was an actor.

That's the part of the movie I enjoy the least. Granted they portrayed Roberto as someone who would kill, but I always thought they could have inserted something different to "get" the makeup case than to kill off an innocent actor for the sake of the plot of such a light comedy.

[–] stevencarbone 12 years ago

Without a doubt Liano Boule is the 1st dictator.

[–] rizdek 12 years ago

I have to admit, after thinking it over that this is what was being implied. Neat. After watching it many many times, it never hit me. Good OP. Although, I wonder if it would be correct to say the FIRST dictator. If he was an actor, might it implied that the actor, Liano Boule had originally replaced yet another person ad infinitum. It does open the possibilities.

my god its full of stars

[–] hodie 11 years ago

Huh? The Simms who died was the real dictator, and Roberto had the country's greatest actor killed so Jack could use his makeup case.

Get me a bromide! And put some gin in it!

[–] crood 10 years ago

While, I at first thought they were hinting that it had always been an actor, upon later viewings, I don't think so. The conversation between Simms and Roberto just before his death gives no indication that Simms was anything but genuine. I assume the Paradoran actor refused to do it, or wasn't physically close enough and was killed.