MovieChat Forums > Flashbacks of a Fool (2008) Discussion > Strong women / weak men

Strong women / weak men

posted 17 years ago by sallyannharlow
3 replies | jump to latest

I saw Flashbacks yesterday and really enjoyed it. Did anyone else notice how all the women in the film were strong and grounded yet the male characters were portayed as weak and flawed? Even Boots ended up deeply in debt but hid this from his wife Ruth.

And it was interesting that Joe grew up surrounded by and being cared for by women (where was his Dad?) and as an adult continued in the same vein with his female housekeeper and coke dealer. His agent (Mark Strong) was male but Joe blatantly despised him.

Also was his Mum a lesbian? Her relationship was never explained and young Joe never contributed to the lesbian discussion at the lake. And at the end of the film she mentioned how she now had her own bedroom.

[–] surfiie 17 years ago

I had considered whether Joe's mum was a lesbian but three was only vague hinting but nothing particularly concrete.

I agreee that there is a strong contrast in the strong and weak characters, but I think there is a reversal of the roles with Evelyn and her huspand. She was emotionally weak and, if you listen to how she speaks to joe its very needy: Do you want me, do you want to touch me, do you fancy me and so on.

While her huspand, granted rarely seen, is a far more maternal character and a seemingly stronger person.

[–] starofthesea 17 years ago

...While her huspand, granted rarely seen, is a far more maternal character and a seemingly stronger person.

Rats! I might have gone to see this film if they had given James D'Arcy, just an awesome actor, more screen time.

[–] filmbuff87 16 years ago

i too suspected the mum of being a lesbian with the gardening neighbor woman.