MovieChat Forums > Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) Discussion > I need an explanation .....

I need an explanation .....

posted 12 years ago by hockeyhrs
16 replies | jump to latest

I don't understand the scene that introduces Tom Berenger (and Richard Bright as his more effete older 'partner' George).

Who are the people in the parade?

Who are the handful of other people (including Berenger with that wig) who ride around in a hearse?

Why do the Hearse-Riders (hearse foreshadows Keaton's death?) jump out, and start a fight with the Paraders, only to then run away . . . . or at least Berenger's be-wigged character runs away back to Richard Bright.

I thought I had a handle on the movie up to this point, but got totally confused by these scenes.

[–] tpcorless 11 years ago

Actually this is the one scene in the film that could have been left out. Even Roger Ebert in his review of the film says that the problem with this scene is that it shifts from Diane Keaton's point of view (she's been in every scene of the film previous to this scene) to establish how unbalanced Berenger's character is.

I don't know what the fight was about. I assumed it was a homophobic attack.

[–] Lovetvshows 10 years ago

"I don't know what the fight was about. I assumed it was a homophobic attack."

I also think that it was a homophobic attack. I disagree, though, about it being an unnecessary scene in the movie. This scene shows how Tom Berenger's character snapped when he was being made fun of by others while he was with his lover. He was angry at his lover for making him dress that way and he took out his anger and frustrations on Diane Keaton's character later that night in a truly horrific manner.

[–] KrazeeforKittiez 8 years ago

Yes....I agree with your take on it.

I had the chance to work with Michael Jackson who was as brilliant as they come.
Tommy Mottola

[–] beaver_cleaver 9 years ago

It was New Years Eve in San Francisco. The hearse was a party hearse.

Great scene!

[–] buddhabelly3000 9 years ago

I love that scene as well! .. sure, it is a bit different, almost surreal from the rest of the film (aside from Theressa's little quirky daydreams) but I agree with it being integral to the movie & giving further insight into just how quickly Berenger's instability/ paranoia can turn into full on rage. Also the next scene, w/ him in the bar playing pinball would lack the same tension- and it goes on to explain his behaviour towards the guy hitting on him...

[–] WarpedRecord 9 years ago

Does this film really take place in San Francisco? I've seen it several times, and I was under the impression it takes place in New York. Although they mention San Francisco's New Year, I thought that was at 3 a.m. in New York.

Regardless, it is indeed a great scene, because it feels very chaotic and "druggy," which is in keeping with the tone of this film (and Theresa's character). Many of the people and places she encounters toward the end felt increasingly random and perplexing, but that was her life.

[–] treach33 8 years ago

It definitely looked like New York to me.

~What if this is as good as it gets?!~

[–] hockeyhrs 8 years ago

It was filmed in Chicago (at least the outdoor scenes) and -- since no major landmarks are shown nor is the city named -- the filmmakers seem to be kind of ambivalent about the locale. "Any Big City, USA"?

[–] MsLadybird99 8 years ago

The people in the hearse were gay bashing idiots who, when they got bashed back by the paraders, ran away.

[–] WarpedRecord 8 years ago

I think you are correct. I don't remember any city mentioned by name, and certainly not San Francisco. I'll have to watch this again ... when I'm stronger.

[–] ericbxxxxx 8 years ago

No. The setting is NYC. They only referenced San Francisco because it was NYE and different time zones acknowledge different midnight celebrations across the United States.

The eastern time zone (NYC, DC, et al) midnight celebration is usually more celebrated on the West Coast than the reverse because it doesn't strike midnight on the West Coast until 3am eastern standard time and most people are generally done partying and in bed for the night (except, of course, for many bars in NYC that stay open til 4am -- or later).

[–] kerprice 8 years ago

In the original true story account "Closing Time", the man who murdered her had a gay lover at the time, so maybe they wanted to bring some of the true stuff into it. The lover had a suspicion that he committed this murder after a semi-confession

[–] the-volleyballer 8 years ago

Yeah, the movie's a little schizo in its locationing - the scene where she daydreams getting hit by the car & taken to the hospital is absolutely NYC, while several other locations look MidWestern. Not many cities would have a decent-sized openly gay population, so it would have to be NYC of SF, and it looks like they were edging toward NYC, which makes sense as the real-life murder the story's based on happened there. I was looking for the car license plates but couldn't tell - having been a kid in 70s NYC, loox like it to me.

[–] sage2112 8 years ago

Yeah when they said SF they were just saying it was NYE "out there". The setting is NYC.

[–] moosefeather 8 years ago

Theresa us sitting next to Gary and his lover in the gay bar scene, which is foreshadowing her encounter with him later in the film.

[–] moosefeather 8 years ago

See above post...this is tge scene when she's with the middle aged man she brings home that Tony kicks out if his apartment.

Re Gary and his lover he is clearly seen kissing the man and actually being into it. Theresa and older man are next to them.