Am I the only one
Am I the only one who like Wade and feel sorry for him :((
shareNo, I felt the same way. I found his character the hardest one to watch, cuz he tried so hard and did so poorly. He had a quick temper, and absolutely no understanding of children, but his heart was in the right place and I think he really wanted to be a good Dad. I guess it's cuz I'm older -- I think kids watching this movie will identify with Harlan and Tobe -- but as an adult I found Wade the most sympathetic character. He was inarticulate and angry for the most part, but there were quiet moments for his character (mainly singing and cleaning his gun while he talked to Lonny). David Morse is ALWAYS an amazing actor, and I think Wade is one of his most complex creations.
I would bet that on paper, Wade was written as a fairly one-dimensional, unlikable character. What David Morse is always so good at is finding the center, the heart, of his characters, and making them human and real. Even without a backstory to explain anything about the character, Morse made him as developed a man as I think was possible.
On the DVD I watched, there was a WONDERFUL deleted scene, where Wade talks to Lonny about his fingerprints being on the gun. Throughout the rest of the movie, Lonny is pretty much mute and terrified around Wade, but this scene is quiet and gentle, and probably the 'softest' Wade's character was in the whole movie. It's a shame the scene was cut, it's almost like whoever cut the movie (is that something the director does?) actually didn't WANT to give Wade that softer moment, wanted to keep him more one-dimensional. But it's tough to keep David Morse down :)
You're not the only one whose heart went out to Wade, a man who obviously is trying to deal with his family the best he can but has a daughter who is practically a lost cause. He showed remarkable restraint with a daughter who looks as if she doesn't care about her brother or father (stepfather, I guess), just having her way, uncaring about the people she hurts. I would have boarded up her window for starters. I intensely disliked this character as a foul-mouthed, substance-abusing brat. She truly placed herself in harm's way.
As for Harlan... I have to admit that I do not consider Edward Norton even a passable actor; in this, he's HORRIBLE! It is extraordinarily irritating to watch Norton try desperately to imitate James Dean and fail miserably. Besides, how does an old guy like Harlan get to latch on to a young girl who looks like jailbait and no one protests?! Even the police seem to think it's OK for the two to be together. Is that allowed in that part of the country? I would think he would be arrested!
I think this is the first role David Morse has ever had in which I really like him and appreciate him as an actor. Usually, he comes across like a zombie or at least a sleepwalker. This time, he's a solid person. It's too bad that they cut that scene you described. I know that I'll be wishing to see Morse in roles more like this one.
I'm on Wade's side.
Oh, so American... Harlan should be arrested because of dating with a girl and not because of taking weapons all around, shooting in the apartment etc,
And Wade should be given sympathy and we should feel sorry for him, a man who has an enormous collection of guns and enables his 13 year old son to share his fascination and admiring weapons! Well, I guess that killing in schools will soon be claimed legal in USA, after all they have managed to spread this mentality and these activities all around the world...
I liked Wade's character and didn't think he was a bad guy. I wasn't on anyones side but as a I am father with two teenage children I felt the most sympathy towards him. He made some bad decisions and had a quick temper. But dealing with teenagers who think they know it all can be pretty demanding. Fact is you are never finished growing. Dealing with kids who used to look up to you and adore you but who now think you know nothing and they know everything is hard. You feel anger, resentful and worried about what will become of your kids. The parent has to grow and realise that being the dictator will only push them away. Wade seems to know this but is unable to control his temper. I speak from experience when I say that dealing with rebelling teenagers is a difficult balancing act. Your natural reaction is to get anger and shout (as Wade did) but often the best course of action is to try and talk to them and try to understand. The film did make some attempt to show this particualrly when Wade and Lonny are talking about Tobe. Wade's love for his daughter is obvious but there is also a sadness that she is so strong willed (something he also admires), not his little girl anymore and that he really doesn't know how to deal with the situation.
Tobe's character may technically be "a foul mouthed substance abusing brat" but I don't think she is a bad person. She is a typical teenager who goes out with friends and does some things she really shouldn't but many teebagers do and most turn out just fine. The film provides a realistic portrayl of family life. While she may be a rebellious teenager Tobe like many teenagers is also insecure and only trying to find her place in the world. Harlan asks her if she is happy living in Wade's house and she says no but when Harlan tries to get her to leave she does not want to go, prefering the security of her father and family. I found this aspect of the story as interesting as the slightly more far fetched (but still entertaingin) story around Harlan.
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