MovieChat Forums > La migliore offerta (2014) Discussion > Confused about the hospital scene

Confused about the hospital scene


Where he has a beard and he's going around and around in the spin wheel thing. Was that AFTER he waits at the cafe in Prague or before he went to Prague? I figured the Cafe in Prague scene was after but then the whole movie they jumped back and forth, so hard to say really?

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[deleted]

The hospitable/sanitarium scenes are intercut with the post-revelation of the con to have the audience experience what drove Oldman there, including a last attempt at hope in going to Prague (the restaurant). Meaning, he goes nuts after visiting Prague. The camera is the narrator of the restaurant scene and actually depicts Oldman losing his mind: it pulls away from Oldman finally leaving him out of view while the sound of the ticking clocks - not to mention the timing mechanisms that werer part of Roberts shop and the automaton he pieced together - and lively chattering couples takes over.

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The restaurant scene comes after the hospital. It is indeed the last scene in the chronology of the movie. I.e. the idea is to make us think (in a metaphorical sense) that Virgil is still sitting there, in that restaurant.

If you noticed, Virgil took a significantly lower-key/commoner approach to his appearance after the events. He no longer looks as rich and sharp as he normally did. This change in his appearance and perceived attitude is exactly the change from "before the hospital" to "after the hospital" period.

Also the scene in which Lambert visits Virgil in the hospital is played as one that takes place soon after the robbery, not after extended period (possibly years) of waiting at the clock square and at the restaurant.

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