I don't understand why he started this habit of filming women because he was a pathological liar and physically violent. And he gets off from it right? What is the symbolism of all of these?
And I don't understand why John keeps saying Graham's dressing is depressing, how is it so? It's just a black shirt and jeans
I don't know if he was physically violent. Expressing himself non-verbally could have meant that he threw things around. Since his honesty went beyond merely telling the truth to the extent that he felt obliged to answer questions instead of saying, "I won't tell you", I think he would have been honest if he actually meant he had been violent.
I assume you get that he is a reformed liar, in the same way that someone who never drinks alcohol can still regard themself as an alcoholic, because the fear and temptation is still there.
Yes, he does "get off" on filming the women and watching the tapes. Cynthia explains it to John when they discuss her tape. She explains that Graham has explained that ordinary porn does not work for him. It does not get him excited.
I assume that he began the taping once he discovered that he was impotent in the presence of another person, ie, he could get it up when he was alone, but not when there was another person (he doesn't specify the gender of the other person, so it is possible that he tried with a man and also failed. Also, he says he prefers taping women to taping men, not that he would not dream of taping men.).
The original script (on sale from amazon) just describes G's hair/clothes/general look as "punk/arty". I don't know what Soderbergh had in mind. Spiky pink hair? Eyeliner? I assume that he waited until he had chosen his cast before making his final decision on what they would wear.
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Nicebat and I had to party.
but why interviews instead of just direct hardcore porn? or it's just some unexplained preference.
shareCynthia is quite clear: ordinary porn does not work for Graham. It has to be someone he interacts with. I assume G found this out via trial and error.
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Nicebat and I had to party.
"but why interviews instead of just direct hardcore porn? or it's just some unexplained preference."
I think he needed the interpersonal feeling and not just the visual in order to be aroused (more like how women tend to be aroused). He responded to the mental seduction of word-play/sexual talk, and the apprehension of what *could* happen between him and one of the women. Also, when he tells McDowells character that he wants to see what she looks like while having an orgasm ... I thought this was a clue into the fact that he likes being able to pretend what these other women would like in the throws of passion but can never be disappointed if he's only fantasizing. For instance McDowells sister ... she likes having more rough/dominant sex (as shown with the husband) but Spader's character may not actually see her that way in his fantasies but maybe more sensual and emotionally connected (the way it seems he probably was with McDowell) so by not ever REALLY having sex with her it doesn't spoil his ability to be aroused and porn it seems would not be intimate enough to satisfy him.
or it's just some unexplained preference.
Sexual preferences must be explicable??????
We must not be brainwashed by monarchist carroteers!
It seems to me that he lost his way when he was confronted with the fact that he was out of control - that is, out of his own control. He more or less became disabled - impotent. His concern with the damage that he inflicts, when he became intimate and involved emotionally/physically, interfered with his ability to express himself interactively with others. The forum of his "clinical" style interviews allows him to get close but in a rather cerebral way; no touch, no feeling. Then when alone, he can revisit those moments via his filmed interviews, and open up without danger to anyone.
His manner of dress is anathema to John because it is first, non-cosmetic, and second reveals the rather depressed condition that Graham was in. John seeks to disguise his inner condition (deceitful, self-obsessed) from others and himself.
As an attorney, the truth of the matter is not relevant, but what kind of a show can you put on for the judge. For him attire is a manner of ruse.
(PRN) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id-bFpYQzXE
I like that, it's very perceptive.
Peacocks! Responsibilities!!