MovieChat Forums > Carousel (1956) Discussion > Think Billy was sorry(spoilers)

Think Billy was sorry(spoilers)


Even though Billy tried to say he wasn't sorry for anything, when asked if he was sorry he hit Julie, think he was, and just didn't want to admit it? Now, I'm STRONGLY against domestic violence, but it seems like Billy was someone who loved his wife, but didn't know how to show it. My guess is, if he had been given another chance he would have been a different man. Thoughts?

reply

Hard to say how much Billy would change. R & H clearly wanted redemption for his soul: everything after Julie's speech to Louise was added to "Liliom." That was a challenge because Billy/Liliom was (a) not particularly bright, (b) stubborn, and (c) completely self-centered. Was he sorry he hit Julie? He cared about his family, at least to some extent, in the film by agreeing to go to the Starkeeper and then down to Earth, but it is also true he was quickly ready to give up in both endeavors at the first discouraging signs and had to be persuaded to proceed. And he remained unable to communicate, having to rely on Julie and Dr. Selden to find the words necessary to help Louise.

Harsh as it may be to say, Julie and Louise may have been better off without him.

reply

[deleted]

Yeah, he loved his wife, and he was sorry, blah blah blah. No excuse for hitting her. The guy was a turd.

reply