Where did Homer come from?


One of the many things that I enjoy about this film, is that they never give much back-story about where Homer Smith came from. We know that he's a traveling handy-man of sorts, but we know very little about his family and friends from back home. Where is "home" and where did he come from for that matter? He mentions he was a baptist, but where was he going on his way passing through? Where did he spend that three weeks he was gone? So much left for the viewer to wonder! Perhaps he really was sent from God, as the Mother Nun says.

Thoughts anyone?

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[deleted]

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It never states that he was a soldier in the movie but if you look closely you can see that the shirt he wears often once had an Army rank on it. I guess he is supposed to be an ex-soldier in the film as well.

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He was sent by god, that was one of the points of the story. Sometimes god sends the reluctant and unbelieving to do his will. Its not always the burning bush on some mountain that calls us.

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One of the joys of an artistic work is that people can construct their own backstory. My guess has always been that Homer came from somewhere in the South, and learned to operate heavy machinery in the army. He is clearly no stranger to hard work, and says that he wanted to be an architect, but couldn't afford the schooling.

A soldier with real skill at running construction equipment would have chafed in the racism of the old South in the early 1960s, and, disgusted, he likely hit the road looking for something better. Homer ran across the sisters, and managed to accomplish something great, even if it was just a small triumph. You'll note that he signs his work where only he and God can see it. I always got the feeling that he found a part of himself there, and left a better, more peaceful person, destined for more small successes and a happier life.

Others have suggested he was sent by God. We all are. Maybe that's the message.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_negro

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_negro

Wiki says,

The Magical Negro is a supporting stock character in American cinema who is portrayed as coming to the aid of a film's white protagonists

dvigilante1's insinuation is without merit, even by the Wiki quote that he cites -
for the simple reason that Homer Smith/Poitier does not come to the aid of white protagaonists. Rather, Smith himself is the protagonist of the film and the novel. Sheesh.

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Well Said, bbmaps. this is such a wonderful movie. just shows you do not have to have a huge budget to make a terrific movie.

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"...says that he wanted to be an architect, but couldn't afford the schooling."

If he was a veteran, the G.I. Bill would have made it possible for him to go to college. If he got good grades, he could have earned a scholarship for graduate study as an architect. Yes, even though he was black.

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