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Harry Pebbel - More Heartless Than Shields? (SPOILERS)

posted 15 years ago by KLMonline
8 replies | jump to latest

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration because it made a good thread title. But I haven't read any comments about Harry's dismissal of each character's flashback tale of personal betrayal by Shields.

I'm willing to accept his rebuttal to Amiel (I'm paraphrasing all quotes. I don't have the script.) "So you didn't get that picture, but you went on to tons of success on your own, and you might not have had the opportunity if you had stayed with Shields." We'll never know, but you did all right for yourself. Get over it. Not very sensitive to the professional and personal betrayal itself, but I can accept his argument.

Then Georgia tells her story and he gives the same kind of rebuttal to her. "But he made you a star and you've had a ton of success ever since." Well, gee thanks. But she's talking about a broken heart, not professional success. Pretty callous of Harry to miss the entire point of her anger.

But that's nothing compared to James Lee! The guy is furious at Shields for setting up the rendezvous that led to his wife's death and then flat out lying to James Lee about his knowledge of it. And Harry has the cojones to say "But you've been a successful writer since then." Wow. James Lee was a successful writer BEFORE then, and he had a living wife!

I'm rather surprised that the four characters seem on such good terms with each other when they first meet in the office if Harry habitually treats people with such disregard.

[–] stomaino 15 years ago

I agree with you but I'm willing to let him go a bit on Georgia.

She was not only a poor actress but a psychological mess. Shields only encourages her interest in him because he realizes that's the only way
he can get her to stop drinking. And he's ashamed of the fact that he
can't really love her.

But the case of James Lee was absurd. Shields ruined the most important
relationship in his life and a Pulitzer Prize is thin compensation.

Sam Tomaino

[–] lizzy-snowe 15 years ago

No, I have to say that I'm on the sides of all three of them. It shows that people aren't so materialistic, that there are more important things that matter to them- and, those exact things were crushed by Harry Shields. I can sympathize a lot with Amiel because I too am a writer, of sorts- this was his prized work, a bit of his soul was rendered into his piece. And Shields robs him of his high treasure. It's horrible- there's nothing more horrible for an artist than to have his most beloved work stolen from him, and no credit given. It almost makes no difference that his other works grant him success- none of them were his baby.

"Pretty much the whole movie wasn't necessary"

[–] thetheeyecreature 15 years ago

I agree about Georgia. Jonathan failed as a boyfriend because he's unable to emotionally commit to a woman, and because of his post-movie depression and self-destructive nature. But professionally, he was more than fair with her, and made it possible for her to have a career.

James Lee, on the other hand, was already a successful novelist. He didn't need Hollywood, didn't need Jonathan, certainly didn't need for his wife to get killed. He just needed to go to a cabin in the woods with no phone so he could work on a book without his wife constantly interrupting.

"The truth 24 times a second."

[–] montrossboc-1 8 years ago

And the way to get James Lee's wife to stop continuously interrupting him was to send her on a trip with Gaucho.

Other than Gaucho wanting to boff the wife, there isn't any hint they were off to have an affair.

Short Cut, Draw Blood

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

montrossboc-1 says > And the way to get James Lee's wife to stop continuously interrupting him was to send her on a trip with Gaucho.

At first glance it did seem Shields had harmed more than helped James Lee but that wasn't the case.

Yes, he did get Gaucho to entertain Rosemary so she would stay out of her husband's hair for a while but just until the script was finished. How could he have known Rosemary would take it too far and be willing to run off to Mexico with him? That's where they were headed when the plane crashed. Some thought it might have been for a quickie divorce but most likely it was just for a fling.

Maybe Gaucho promised to marry her too but who knows. He was a famous actor who lived the kind of lifestyle that attracted her. If things led to marriage I'm sure she wouldn't have minded. What she would not have known was that Gaucho was a perpetual womanizer who would have soon tired of her and moved on to a bevy of other women.

Rosemary had been involved to some extent with other men in the past in their small town. We don't know whether they were innocent flirtations or full blown affairs. Her husband knew but she always deflected attention from herself by accusing him of being jealous. Clearly, she had given him reason to be.

Shields did James Lee a favor by finally exposing Rosemary for who/what she was. It might have taken him years to know for sure that she was doing more than it seemed. James Lee's falling out with Shields came as a result of Shields telling him he was better off without her.

As it turns out she was blocking him creatively. He had been a writer but it had taken him many years to complete one book and finish one script. He also was unable to base any of the characters in his book on her. It would have meant him telling himself the truth but he wasn't ready to do that. After her death he was able to write and wrote a book based on her. He won the award and became very successful.

The basis for his forgiveness of Shields was not the death of Rosemary but the revelation of her and for having been right about her all along. I don't believe James Lee ever learned that Shields arranged for Gaucho to spend time with his wife but, even if he had, she didn't have to accept.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] gribfritz2 12 years ago

I was waiting for...

Pebbel: Oh, no. Jonathan didn't do anything for you. Your wife wasn't a pain in the @ss or anything.

[–] gerrywos 12 years ago

Yea its as if he did them all favours by being a total prick.I think ill go and break into my friends house and rob everthing,he will thank me later as it will make him realise he should get better security

[–] Alanlinel 11 years ago

Agreed: Harry Callous. ;)