MovieChat Forums > Mister Buddwing (1966) Discussion > What caused his amnesia? Did those pills...

What caused his amnesia? Did those pills have any role?

posted 13 years ago by Eric-1226
3 replies | jump to latest

*Spoiler alert*

I don't think the movie ever explained the exact cause of "Mr. Buddwing's" acute amnesia. I was thinking that after he discovered Grace had attempted suicide, he freaked out and took some of those pills we saw him take from his pocket in the opening sequence (the exact type of which was never disclosed). Maybe he OD'd on some sort of strong barbiturate-like substance that knocked him out for awhile, and also caused amnesia?

‘Scuse me, while I kiss the sky — Jimi Hendrix

[–] Owlwise 13 years ago

My impression is that it was the shock of his wife's attempted suicide, coming as the culmination of a marriage & a dream falling apart over the years.

But it's probably best not to look for specific, "realistic" explanations for it -- this was made in a period where the audience was used to & familiar with symbolic, allegorical material mixed in with the everyday. This could easily have been a play, as the focus is more on psychological & emotional truth, rather that completely accurate, "realistic" detail.

Among other things, it's an analysis of the failure of youthful idealism, ambition & hope. Look at the scene with Grace #3, when they see themselves in the mirror, which is partly obscured by ornate decoration -- it makes them look distorted, dirty, battered remnants of their youthful selves. And Buddwing asks, "How did we come to this?"

It's a question a lot of people ask sooner or later ...

[–] melnar1 10 years ago

Just watched it, nominally because of James Garner's participation.

Couldn't make head or tail of it.

The movie explained nothing.

Will probably be my least-liked James Garner film. I really didn't think he ever made a bad film - until I saw this turkey.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

melnar1 says > Will probably be my least-liked James Garner film. I really didn't think he ever made a bad film - until I saw this turkey.

If anything in the Trivia section is to be believed, Garner didn't think much about this movie either; saying it was his worse movie. I just saw it on DVR today after recording it on TCM last month. After the movie there was a short feature on the making of Mr. Buddwing. That was more interesting than the movie.

Whether Garner liked it or not, he sure seemed to be having a good time making it. I liked how they actually filmed in various locations in New York City. He talked to the crowds who gathered to watch and had laughs with his co-stars. That little film made up for having watched the movie. I didn't like it either.

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