MovieChat Forums > This Boy's Life (1993) Discussion > Dwight was right!

Dwight was right!

posted 20 years ago by bondjames
132 replies | jump to latest

One thing I notice whenever I read comments about this movie is how Dwight was "Abusive." In fact, he wasn't. Yes... he had issues of his own that he needed to work out but I interpreted the physical altercations were a direct result of DiCaprio's characters lack of respect for him. Let's face it, Tobias was no angel and MOST of the things that happened to him directly resulted from his own actions.

In my opinion, Dwight was right in trying to help him correct his behavior. I got the impression that Dwight wouldn't have became such a jerk if the kid would have accepted his advice (or at least respected his opinion). Of course, Dwight is the adult and he was wrong to let it turn into a competition between the two, but "abusive"... no. He probably would have been ok if the kid had shown him a little respect.

Yes... Dwight has issues, "Doggie style or on your side.." but that isn't "abusive." Don't be so quick to file Dwight away as an abusive lunatic. Take a look at the people around him.

[–] nyshrink 14 years ago

Ok, I'm replying to a 7 year old post because I just saw this movie and as a psychotherapist, I partially agree.

Toby/Jack's mother got involved with a series of inadequate men because she wanted to feel superior and it's always easy to feel superior to someone who's inadequate. Then because the men had low self esteem, they picked up consciously or unconsciously on her attitude and it made them even more insecure. It's insecurity that is the catalyst for domestic violence most of the time. But what the mother also did was give her son the message that he was superior and didn't need to follow other people's rules. Seriously what consequences did she ever give him? If Tobias Wolff hadn't been extremely talented he would have ended up in prison, because that's where people who don't learn rules end up, most of the time. He also acted out because he was angry that his real father wasn't around. Dwight was an insecure man who caught on right away that his wife's kid didn't respect him. In fact Toby was smoldering and itching for a power struggle, so Dwight gave him one. But Dwight overestimated his ability to influence Toby/Jack. I don't think he caught on to the subtle messages his wife was giving her son. She didn't need to "take sides" or referee because she'd already given her son the message he didn't need to follow rules. Most people who saw this movie didn't figure this out so how can we blame Dwight for not figuring it out??

[–] jamesblair1976 14 years ago

I most assuredly agree with Bondjames on this one. And what's more, I'll up the ante! I mean, come on...if I'm Dwight and I saw a basically empty mustard jar with little more than a sliver of mustard that Jack threw away, I'd shoot Jack, his mother and all my fruity little children in all their little heads, then I'd RUN AMOK WITH A MEAT CLEAVER AN KILL ALL THE MECHANICS IN CONCRETE THAT WEREN'T ME...AND THEN I'D SEND OUT FOR ALL OF JACK'S RELATIVES AND HAVE THEM ALL DEAD! YOU HEAR ME? DEAD! I'D WANT HIS FAMILY...DEAD! I'D WANT HIS OLD HOUSE BURNT DOWN TO THE GROUND!!!! THEN I'D HAVE ALL OF THEIR BODIES SHIPPED TO MY HOUSE SO I COULD POKE OUT ALL THEIR EYEBALLS WITH TOOTHPICKS AND DIP THEM IN A NEW, FULL JAR OF MUSTARD SO'S I COULD EAT 'EM FOR DESSERT!!!!

"We're trying to entertain them, Chazz, not kill 'em!"

[–] greg164 8 years ago

HA! Thanks for the comedic break in this very long weird thread started by a right wing nutbag. LMAO!!

[–] michael-davies16-1 13 years ago

Dwight knew a thing or two about a thing or two, but Toby was right. Dwight couldnt stand the fact that he existed. And thats all he needed to hate toby.

Toby was never going to get dwights respect no matter what he did.

[–] eamonn7 13 years ago

Okay, let us look at the things Dwight does...by MichaelMovieLoft

Holds Toby's paper money for himself
Makes him wear Skipper's old Boy Scout uniform, but gets a new one for himself
Won't get him basketball shoes he needs ($10 isn't going to break anyone)
Is verbally abusive to him telling him he will never mount up to much
Kicks him in the stomach after Toby wrongfully takes the car out (Yes, Toby was wrong, but you don't kick a kid in the stomach)
Trades in Toby's rifle for a crappy looking dog WITHOUT consulting Toby
Holds a jar of mustard to his eye and applys pressure
Nearly kills Toby
================================================================================

OK first 3 points you really need to remember what the year was, the 50's and why is that important? nothing other than I really cant imagine much money being around freely in the US as they were billions in debt due to WW11, and while 10$ may sound in todays world not much, you bet your ass it was back then.

As for the rest, 4th point way wrong as it that rubbish that leave young people doubting themselves and tends to lead to them never looking to better themselves.

5th point, the old man deserves a good beating himself for that crap as with your last point and maybe a stay in hospital for a long time for that as well as a stint in jail. Point 6 can go either way as cant remember now what age Toby was, but what parent really consult their kids ? and point 7, lol reminds me when I told a girl in our class putting red peppers to your eyes got you high and yes she did and got me a 3 week holiday off school and a slap of my old man for it.

[–] corywiththet 12 years ago

Eamonn I would stomp Dwight's ass.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] snoho 12 years ago

Dwight was nothing but an A grade ass|hole. And it's exactly why even his wife left him.
At first I thought he was trying to "keep his boy in line" but his actions speak much louder than his words. He was nothing more than a jealous prick that kicked others down to make him feel better about himself.

[–] Spirit_Of_The_Drum 11 years ago

You people would bellyache if Dwight was damn Ward Cleaver!

Now shutcha pieholes!

[–] ThoseLittleRabbits 10 years ago

don't ever have kids

i've got feelings too, ya know - inbetweeners

[–] joana-pedroso15 9 years ago

I agree the kid needed to be disciplined and at first I thought Dwight was doing that. But watching through the movie, I realized he was just a frustrated unreasonable man who liked to brag and needed to put others down in order to feel better in his own misery... It wasn't his crafty way of educating a kid who needed to be straigthen up, he was just really an *beep*

There are several ways of punishing kids, he was too harsh (not when I compare with my upbringing but I always try to live my position and see it through other people's eyes, and comparing with other type of families it was hard).