I didn't understand Gustav and Alfred's arguments
Gustav and Alfred are arguing but their words are too "English" for me to understand. They are using too big of words. Can someone translate what they are talking about in eight grade language.
shareThose dialogues keep breaking into the film and disrupt its flow. They are derived from Thomas Mann's novella which is steeped in classical literature. The model is the Socratic dialogue Phaedrus by Plato:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaedrus_(Plato)
"the speech proceeds to explain all the reasons why it is better for a boy to give his favor to an older suitor who does not love him, rather than one who does. Friendship with a non-lover, he says, will last longer; it will be based on intellect rather than looks, will be honest rather than based in false flattery, and a dispassionate lover will not abandon his friend for another boy. Conversely, the boy will not be giving his favor to someone who is "more sick than sound in the head" and is not thinking straight, overcome by love."
I was fortunate enough to see this picture on the big screen on Monday this week. It does need to be seen thAT way. I saw it that way back in 1971 when it was released into mainstream cinemas(!) It looks fantastic in the new digital print, though the soundtrack is still a quavery mess - odd for a picture which is so musical. The audience size? Just me! Catch it if you possibly can.