jd-276 says > I think it's very likely that he is homosexual.
Maybe that's what you want to believe but it's not true. The Major is most certainly not homosexual! His problem is he likes pleasuring himself in dark, public places around total strangers; like the cinema. The darkness both represents and hides his shame.
The major is attracted to women but he's so afraid to interact with them he'd never be able to have a normal relationship with one. Still he has needs so he finds a seat next to a woman and does his thing. It's the closest he can get to what he wants; sex with a woman. The only mention of a homosexual in the movie is Ann's last husband, the interior decorator. It was a marriage in name only; he's gay; she's frigid.
I can't imagine it's likely the police would have been watching a heterosexual person so intently, even back then, but they certainly would have been watching a homosexual person in those circumstances.
Don't imagine then, I'll tell you. The woman who testified says the Major nudged her elbow and tried to take liberties. The nudge may not have been on purpose; most likely it was due to the movement of his arms and body. He may even have exposed himself and/or tried to grope her. Clearly she knew what he was doing so she switched seats and reported him. Management notified the police and they proceeded to watch him move around the cinema at least five times in four hours; each time next to a woman. He was arrested on his way out. See how easy it is if you stick to what's in the story instead of jumping to your own conclusions. Besides, how would they even know he was homosexual? The judge says it's his first offense so he'll go easy on him, how does that fit in your theory?
Remember the bit where he says he doesn't know why he does it? Remember the bit where he says he's going to stay with a friend of his but it's a case of "birds of a feather"?
The Major can't control himself so the last thing he needs is a bad influence to encourage his behavior. Due to his arrest he now has a record and is on probation for a year. If he's caught doing it again he'll go back to jail. If he and his friend are homosexual, why wouldn't he already be living with him? He'd certainly be around that lifestyle. Sodomy was illegal but the police wouldn't know what he does in a private residence. What could they do to him?
Remember when he describes his childhood and how he was bullied for being meek? Remember what he says about his father's view of him?
Sibyl asked why he did it. He says it goes back to when he was a kid; timid and shy. He was bullied so he fears people, especially women. He lacks confidence. He's never been able to live up to his father's expectations so that's left him feeling insecure; further aggravating his shyness. The service made him feel important but it changed nothing. He lies to feel important but the lies drive him further away from people; some know he's lying others are bored with his stories. Sibyl's the only one who enjoys his stories and is attracted to him. He has feelings for her too. He can talk to her and is comfortable around her but she's fearful too especially of sex.
Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]
reply
share
jd-276
9 years ago
Maybe that's what you want to believe but it's not true.
Wellum, I don't deal in absolutes. I think it is
likely he is homosexual. Whether that qualifies as "true" or not is largely irrelevant.
See how easy it is if you stick to what's in the story instead of jumping to your own conclusions.
Ho, hum. God I love being patronised. Not.
Go back a few paces and the logic is explained. Yes: there is a reference to Anne's husband - that is pretty clear. However, I do think there is room for interpretation on the Major. Is that the same as "jumping to conclusions"? Everyone is entitled to their own version. It's not absolute and binding.
I am not one of those people prone to making these sorts of judgements on movies. You can find these questions in almost any IMDb page. Top Gun is a classic for this. I almost always ignore them but this struck a chord with me. Homosexuality was hidden away in the closet back then. People didn't talk about it. The 1950s in the UK was almost Victorian in its outlook. Look what they did to Alan Turing.
Terence Rattigan - who wrote this masterpiece (and that's what it is) - was homosexual himself. How could he write about an event like this involving
men and expect it to be successful and without potentially exposing himself? He
had to use metaphores.
reply
share