This guy is a vain, pretentious irritant. I guess because he is rich and handsome we're expected to believe the ridiculous actions of the many characters that are so attracted to him? I wasn't buying it. I generally like the film, but I found this aspect to be a fly in the ointment.
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The guy is a smug prick. I don't believe people "in real life" are hopelessly drawn to unlikable douche bags. It just isn't so.
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People are drawn to wealthy attractive people. The fact that they are dicks makes them even more attractive to some.
Trust me on this one.
I don't believe people "in real life" are hopelessly drawn to unlikable douche bags. It just isn't so.
Yep, this explains why Trump is leading in the polls now and has been for awhile. And Trump isn't even good-looking. He is an ugly *beep* who looks like he has got a ferret on his head!
shareYep, this explains why Trump is leading in the polls now and has been for awhile. And Trump isn't even good-looking. He is an ugly *beep* who looks like he has got a ferret on his head!
shareI can see both sides of the argument-like Marge said, Dickie can make you are the most important person in the world. He seems like the type of friend fun to go clubbing or drinking with, but then ignores you. Not a good friend
shareDickie wasn't "good to Tom" though. He was pretty horrible to him and he DID act like he was above him. He had disdain and contempt for him. He only let Tom be in his orbit because he amused him, at first anyway.
Dickie also wasn't loyal, but very disloyal and dismissive of Tom and Marge.
It's like you and I saw different movies.
I feel like I should agree with you, but I really don't. I think the important thing about Dickie is that, while he's vain and fickle and living a life of unearned privilege, he's also incredibly good at bringing value to people's lives. He's very impressed by Tom once he hears his impressions and he seems genuinely interested the guy. Compound this with Tom's extreme neediness and it doesn't surprise me that Dickie had such a magnetic influence on him.
Actually, I've met a couple of people like Dickie in my lifetime. They're not particularly talented themselves, but they're very good at making people feel valued and special. And for this reason, people would fall over themselves for their attention.
Very well said, invisiblehen. Such people tend to "burn out" on others once the interest dies. But when these type people are interested in you, they are shining and bright, and they can bring a whole room to life. You are right about them being very good at making people feel valued and special. That is a certain talent that is very attractive. I loved the psychology of this movie/story so much.
share"He was very good to Tom and didn't act big or like he was above him or anything."
"Who are you, some third class mooch? Who are you to say anything to me?"
Yeah, he was wonderful to him alright.
I'm happiest...in the saddle.
Do you think Dickie got tired of Tom after the point he joined him on stage when everyone sang "I Don't Speak Americano"?
shareI think he became wary of Tom after he became aware of Tom's homosexual interest in him, in the chess in the bathtub scene. It repelled him. Seeing Tom dancing around in his underwear and Dickie's own clothes clinched it.
shareI don't think the story painted him to be much different than as you describe him. They never set him up to be a hero or an angel. Overall he was a gregarious and likable chap with very human flaws, and what happened to him was tragic.
shareOne thing people aren't mentioning is that Dickie was - to many (including me!) - GORGEOUS. That was a significant part of his charisma.
Yes, and he has tons of money he spends freely on his friends. Also, in the social circle people like Tom, Marge, Freddie, and Meredith run, they do not have be nice people to be popular. They are snobs who look down on others and are proud of it.
I just saw this movie for the first time since it came out mostly to re-watch Phil Hoffman (brilliant as always) and I've forgotten just how freaking beautiful Jude Law was at the time.
I guess because he is rich and handsome we're expected to believe the ridiculous actions of the many characters that are so attracted to him? I wasn't buying it.
I didn't see any "undeniable charm". We'll just have to agree to disagree. I understand that we have the advantage of 'outsider looking in' as film watchers. I am a fairly well practiced film watcher. I just don't think the movie did as well as you apparently do at showing us what attracted people to the guy. Like I said, the film is still good, despite this arguable flaw.
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