MovieChat Forums > The Gift (2015) Discussion > Do I have this right?

Do I have this right?

posted 8 years ago by ManWithDaPlan
11 replies | jump to latest

Gordo was already torturing them in Chicago and is likely the reason Robin became addicted to the drugs trying to cope with all the craziness?

Then, after they move, Gordo decides to show his face and Simon plays dumb acting like he didn't know him even though he had already had a file for him hidden from probably back when Gordo was torturing them in Chicago?

I get it, Simon is a successful bully pretty much who usually gets where he wants in life by discrediting others with false allegations.

Makes me wonder now if Gordos whole criminal past was just Simon constantly screwing with him making up stuff to destroy him. The same way he made his competitor not only lose a contract, but lose his job over a lie.

Even still, the thing that annoyed me was how Robin kept insisting to invite a male into their home that even her husband had said he didn't feel comfortable around or didn't really remember much.

AFTER she found out about the hidden criminal file and the story from Greg it would have made sense that she wanted to be nice to the guy. BEFORE knowing all that, it would have seemed she would have kept her distance at least out of respect for her husband.

I guess maybe she never had much respect for her husband anyway, which makes me even more frustrated with this movie.

If she kept feeling like she didn't REALLY know him, and was ok with letting strange dudes come in and take tours of her home and play handyman up in there while her husband was gone, WHY DID SHE EVEN MARRY SIMON IN THE FIRST PLACE?

HER CHARACTER WAS THE WORST AND DAM NEAR UNNECESSARY IF YA ASK ME!

[–] erin1223 8 years ago

I did not get that from gordo that he was in Chicago at all.there could have been coincidences gordo finding robin and Simon in the store and he did not start out wanting revenge anyway.

[–] ManWithDaPlan 8 years ago

I think they said something in a scene with Simon explaining something about being sorry for the craziness in Chicago and now in the new place, but I could be wrong. Plus it was said about her having been basically a pill popper back in Chicago too which she finally admits she was taking them to pretty much deal with all the craziness.

I am not sure if I believe he didn't have the aim to get revenge from the beginning. I mean, there has to be some reason why Simon had a full criminal file sitting around (since we didn't see him obtain that during the movie, I'm thinking he had it prior back in Chicago).

Are we supposed to REALLY believe Gordo saw his former bully all successful and such and just wanted to "let bygons be bygons"? I don't. Plus the statement he said to Simon that made Simon snap and kick his ass "You are done with the past, but the past is not done with you". That statement alone would have set me off as well especially as it seems to imply that all along he had been plotting something sinister.

As I think more on it, I do think Simon had honestly moved on from the situation he had with Gordo in his childhood. Simon was now on to ruining other peoples' lives that could actually help him succeed and have nice houses and cars and money.

Gordo is the one I think as Simon put it was still stuck on what happened to him and was allowing it to rule how he dealt with everything in his life. He let Simon's lie become him in some ways which probably explains his criminal behavior with being a molester or whatever he was.

[–] erin1223 8 years ago

The guy who plays gordo I heard said that he started off trying to make bygones bygones but found out Simon did not change and was settling for revenge and teaching Simon a lesson instead.also gordo did not get any revenge on Simons former friend but made peace it seemed even if Simon was the leader and his friends could have been bullies just to look a certain way to simon

[–] ManWithDaPlan 8 years ago

So he wantex o let bygons be bygons YET he was basicaly pushing his way into Simon's life as if they used to be friends before the bullying happened? That makes no sense to me. After all, they were never friends. AND he was not pushing himself off on Greg who was also involved and could have either got Simon to fess up or rat him out to expose his lie but didn't.

Greg said he had made his peace and moved on from that and seems that Simon had as well, but Gordo set out to come after him anyway.

Seems to me that if Gordo really did intend to forgive and let live or whatever, when he confronted him at the store he could have either said something then, or could have sent a letter right after stating who he was to refresh his memory if necessary and to state that he was over it pretty much.

In MY mind, the way he approached Simon from jump let me know he was NOT trying to just let it go. Not to mention if Gordo was such a good guy, why drug Robin when she had nothing to do with anything when that could have probably killed her with her also taking those pills.

[–] therefdotcom 8 years ago

so, what's your agenda here? i mean you seem so desperate to misinterpret the film, it is more than suspicious.

[–] JayCeezy 8 years ago

Awesome post. We don't even need an answer. Your question was enough. Thanks.

[–] elainet-507-617018 8 years ago

What are you talking about??
You're making up your own script here and did we watch the same movie? I don't mean to be rude but I suggest you watch it again...and pay more attention this time.

[–] bbenet 8 years ago

The ambiguity in their marriage is one of the movie's interesting features. In too many suspense/thriller movies the couple is blissfully contented, unlike in real life. Robyn senses there's something lacking in her husband--kindness and character, and the reality was worse than she suspected. Many people--especially in today's mobile and device-driven world--have only a superficial knowledge of the person they marry.

Not a favorite Edgerton role, but the movie is a solid eight or even a nine. A good one to show in college film classes. The title (seems to) answer any remaining questions..

[–] Mossap 8 years ago

I got the feeling that the craziness in Chicago had something to do with trying to conceive and not being able to or losing a baby.

[–] JayCeezy 8 years ago

The 'craziness' is Simon's doing. He's a control freak, manipulating everyone around him from childhood, something he learned from his abusive father.

Look at how Simon manipulated his 'friend' Greg into doing something everyone knows is wrong, just to bully a weak and vulnerable classmate that never did anything to him or anyone else. Because it feels good to be 'mean' and 'in control'...that is, it feels good until one develops an empathy for others. Greg has not been in touch with Simon since high-school; Simon moves back, and doesn't get in touch with Greg. Why do you think that is? Gordo asks the question directly, "you guys were such good friends, why didn't you stay in touch?"

Look at what you know about Simon. He has cut off his wife from her old life, old family-and-friends, her identity in work and career, and done it all while claiming he is 'doing it for her.' He manipulates a guy who really believes he and Simon are friends, into recommending Simon for a high-powered job. He manipulates the company into rejecting a competing job candidate, and does it by costing that competing candidate his current job and reputation.

How would moving change conception of a baby? Would you want to have a baby with someone you thought was crazy? Simon was abused by his father. Gordo was burned in a murder attempt by his own father. Think back to the end, Robyn holding the baby protectively and drawing the curtain on Simon.

I could go on, but ask yourself again...do you think 'the craziness in Chicago had something to do with trying to conceive'?

[–] Red_Army 8 years ago

How did you come to this conclusion? You just made everything up. He got the background check after he had post it notes put on his car shortly before they got the letter with sad faces.