Why would Julian kill himself? All i saw him do was defend himself from an armed robbery. At most he would only be guilty of illegally possessing a firearm. And I thought it was mentioned that the Union head made sure all the guns would be legally registered anyhow. So what other reason would there be for Julian to kill himself?
shareBecause he had nothing and nowhere to go. He suffered from a sense of unworthiness because he blew a chance that he didn't even deserve from the man he wanted to emulate and be proud of him. So lights out time.
sharePrecisely what makes you claim he 'didn't even deserve that chance'? Given Abel's reaction and mentioned 'political' power, it was clear he was never a good man to begin with and just callously embraced the cannibalistic nature of life for personal gain. His speeches about being 'better' than the competition and how to face fear were probably just pure manipulation.
shareWhat, still no answer?
shareI thought it was a over the top, but it did show how protective Abel was of his business. The look he gave after Julian shoots a hole in the tank, I though he was going to ask them to call a welder, not the cops.
shareGood question.
A guy with no record, who stood to face nothing more than a weapon's charge... which would probably have resulted in no more than a fine, which Abel would surely have paid off. Why did he run? Why did he escalate the situation?
It was frustrating to me that this guy did SO much over so little.
On the other hand, that happens in real life a lot too. People will commit major crimes to cover up more minor crimes out of panic and stupidity. How many murders have been committed to cover up a theft?
The question was answered in the dialogue. He was told by the person he most admired and wished to emulate that he would never achieve the American dream. He had nothing so he spared his boss any further legal repercussions in exchange for his family being provided for.
shareHaving an illegal weapon is one thing, firing with it in a public place is another one. He would probably have to face some tough charges for that.
Plus the fact that he ran from the cops on the crime scene. It is probable it was another criminal offense.
The legality of the weapon actually has little bearing on self defence cases if the defendant has no record- which he says he doesn't. While he would get a possession charge, the fact he was being mugged by two armed assailants who had already assaulted him beforehand and seriously injured him would make any other substantial punishment unlikely. Even with an immigrant such a case would be very bad PR for the establishment in the political climate the film is suggesting- the police can't defend their citizens against multiple assaults by armed men, but are happy to lock up those citizens who try to defend themselves?
"World needs bad men. We keep the other bad men from the door"
Back in '02 I stole some guns and shot them at buildings with people in them and all I got was 72 days in jail, 3 years probation and a felony record. (I know, stupid) I was a kid with no criminal record much like Jullian. What about the possibility that Jullian wasn't a citizen and would be deported?
shareAlthough I felt it was a bit over the top (why on earth would he show up there, at exactly that time), it really nailed home the point of this movie for me. When Abel realises that Julian is going to shoot himself... he does NOT try to stop him. He sees it as a way to solve the situation. That was the point when he lost part of his humanity and the exact point where I realised he will end up like Michael Corleone after all.
shareYes, exactly. I think we root for Abel throughout the film, but towards the end realize that he's not a good person. He's just trying to protect his business. I don't think he ever really changes. It's just that we as the audience are never aware of who he is until the end.
His desire for the legitimacy of his business is only concerned in the sense of its functionality. He knows that the alternative routes (involving backdoor dealings, violence and stealing) never end well. I think we as an audience mistaken this as ethical when it's in fact strictly practical.
"Yes, exactly. I think we root for Abel throughout the film, but towards the end realize that he's not a good person. He's just trying to protect his business. I don't think he ever really changes. It's just that we as the audience are never aware of who he is until the end."
Agreed! Even his wife who pushes and pushes him throughout the entire film to "Do Something" was completely shocked at the end.
Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)
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It makes sense to me. He was cut loose in all sense of that terms from Abel and he had not job. He felt totally desperate, and in that desperate moment thought it was his best way out! Also, Abel's true colors showed in this moment, especially when he pretty much stepped over his dead body to plug up the leak pouring out of the shot hole :-O
~ Carpe Diem - Janice Marie Foote ~
What true colors? Abel wants his business to stay legit but this Julian fool endangers everything. WhyTF should he care for Julian who didn't care for him in the first place??
shareJulian was probably here illegally and would be deported leaving his family. I can't believe no one said that yet.
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Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. But what about his running from the cops at every chance he got (that's evidence even if it's just a little). The only other unlikely option is shame but cmon, all he did was defend himself and let down his friend that didn't care about him.
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He, like Abel, was under a lot of pressure.
Some guys fold under pressure while others exceed.
Do I have to give it to you?
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