MovieChat Forums > gregori22 > Replies
gregori22's Replies
"2. What was the grandfather trying to do towards the end?"
I think the script was somewhat smarter that way than we traditionally give it credit. There's the whole dedicated scene with grandpa's lawyer where he elaborately explains that Cutler will never get legal custody.
It's all cool until Mike escapes the mansion to find dad and be with him. At that point grandpa realizes that Mike will vouch, testify, and opt for Lincoln in any court hearing that might come, and it's a done deal then. So he seeks out the duo in Vegas with his new offer that would sidestep a custody battle.
Because Friedkin & Blatty apparently had him in mind during pre-production. Perhaps it was The Seventh Seal, perhaps just the way Sydow looks, but it's him they wanted for Merrin.